A systematic review examining prenatal asthma medication safety identified only eight studies meeting strict scientific criteria out of 16,824 initially assessed publications—a stark reminder of how limited robust evidence remains in this critical area. The meta-analysis encompassed 3.9 million pregnancies across multiple international cohort and case-control studies published between 2003 and 2025.
All included studies evaluated beta-2-adrenergic agonists, with only one additionally investigating inhaled corticosteroids. Using standardized quality assessment tools, researchers found inconsistent associations between prenatal medication exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This selective inclusion reflects the rigorous PRISMA methodology applied to ensure reliability, yet also demonstrates significant gaps in our current understanding.
The findings highlight the urgent need for high-quality prospective research to provide pregnant women and clinicians with clearer evidence for personalized treatment decisions.
Was this article helpful?
