Maternal Asthma Is Associated with Reduced Female Fetal Growth

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200303-374oc
• Publication Date: 2003-09-23T01:35:21Z
• Authors: Vanessa E. Murphy; Peter G. Gibson; Warwick B. Giles; Tamas Zakar; Roger Smith; Andrew M. Bisits; Carolyn G. Kessell; Vicki L. Clifton
• Keywords: Estriol

Asthma during pregnancy is associated with a low birth weight, although the mechanisms contributing to this outcome remain unknown. The relationship between maternal asthma and its treatment, placental function, fetal sex, weight was examined establish effect of on growth. Glucocorticoid intake by women assessed throughout pregnancy. placenta collected after delivery, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) activity measured. Fetal cortisol estriol were measured in umbilical vein plasma at delivery. Those compared nonasthmatic control group. In who did not use inhaled steroids pregnant female fetus, we observed significantly reduced weights, whereas male weights unaffected. presence fetus increased circulating monocytes, 11beta-HSD2 estriol, trend toward elevated cortisol. This study provides evidence that pregnancies complicated there sex-specific immune system adverse effects function