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Review
. 2021 Mar;14(1):12-18.
doi: 10.1177/1753495X20926799. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Maternal asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus: Exploration of potential associations

M E Jensen  1 , H L Barrett  2   3 , M J Peek  4   5 , P G Gibson  6   7 , V E Murphy  1
Affiliations
Review

Maternal asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus: Exploration of potential associations

M E Jensen et al. Obstet Med. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus are prevalent during pregnancy and associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The risk of gestational diabetes mellitus is increased with asthma, and more severe asthma; yet, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This review examines existing literature to explore possible links. Asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus are associated with obesity, excess gestational weight gain, altered adipokine levels and low vitamin D levels; yet, it's unclear if these underpin the gestational diabetes mellitus-asthma association. Active antenatal asthma management reportedly mitigates asthma-associated gestational diabetes mellitus risk. However, mechanistic studies are lacking. Existing research suggests asthma management during pregnancy influences gestational diabetes mellitus risk; this may have important implications for future antenatal strategies to improve maternal-fetal outcomes by addressing both conditions. Addressing shared risk factors, as part of antenatal care, may also improve outcomes. Finally, mechanistic studies, to establish the underlying pathophysiology linking asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus, could uncover new treatment approaches to optimise maternal and child health outcomes.

Keywords: Asthma; gestational diabetes; maternal health; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: PGG reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and grants from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, outside the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Factors potentially underlying the association between maternal asthma and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GWG: gestational weight gain; SCFAs: short chain fatty acids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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