ABSTRACT
The pregnant patient with an exacerbation of asthma presents many challenges to the emergency physician. Alterations in respiratory physiology during pregnancy and the additional concerns for preventing fetal hypoxia requires increased vigilance. The risks of asthma therapy to the developing fetus must be balanced with the risks of maternal and fetal hypoxia. Patient education and appropriate outpatient follow-up aimed at preventing recurrent attacks takes on an added importance in this patient population.
