A recent study reported that asthma exacerbations or severe asthma before pregnancy or at the beginning of pregnancy, are associated with increased rate of exacerbations during pregnancy.

The key findings were as follows:

• Medium to high dosages of inhaled corticosteroids were most strongly associated with severe asthma exacerbations.
• Worse asthma control, possession of a written action plan, and a history of asthma exacerbations in the year preceding pregnancy were associated with an increased rate of exacerbations.

Thus, asthma exacerbations prior to pregnancy or at the beginning of pregnancy increase the rate of exacerbations during pregnancy.