Respiratory diseases in pregnancy

Abstract

Pulmonary diseases are one of the major indirect causes of maternal deaths. Pregnancy is a unique physiologi-cal state during which changes occur in all systems of the body to meet metabolic needs of both the mother and growing foetus. Enlarging uterus and increasing hormonal levels cause changes in volumes and mechanics of lungs. Understanding the basic physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory changes during pregnancy along with the pathology of disease processes are vital in making therapeutic decisions. Pre-existing conditions like asthma, tuberculosis, and acute illnesses like pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pneumothorax can have calamitous effect on mother and child health. Continual foetal monitoring throughout pregnancy is very important in early recognition of foetal jeopardy.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of respiratory pathologies during pregnancy and puerperality

“…1 Respiratory disease, which is often less pointed at, is still the thirdhighest cause of mortality in the world's female population in middle-income countries, with tuberculosis among the top five causes of death among women of reproductive age in developing countries. 2 During pregnancy, women are exposed to nasal congestion, hyperventilation and the diaphragm moves up. These lead to changes in respiratory capacity for ventilation.…”