Longitudinal Changes in Upper and Lower Airway Function in Pregnancy

Abstract

Physiologic changes during pregnancy have implications for both upper and lower airway function. Upper airway resistance increases, and total lung capacity decreases. Upper airway symptoms increase; some women develop pregnancy-induced rhinitis and there is an increased prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing compared to prepregnancy. Longitudinal studies examining changes in upper and lower airway function parameters are limited, particularly in women with asthma. Some studies have observed reduced lung function with advancing gestation; however, changes are small and unlikely to be of major clinical significance. Spirometry is therefore a useful tool for clinical assessment of women with asthma during pregnancy.

Keywords: Asthma; Lung function; Pulmonary function tests; Rhinitis; Sleep-disordered breathing; Spirometry.