Impact of Maternal Asthma and Asthma Treatment During Pregnancy on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: Findings from a Cohort Study of 179,024 Children - Summary - MDSpire

Impact of Maternal Asthma and Asthma Treatment During Pregnancy on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: Findings from a Cohort Study of 179,024 Children

  • By

  • Lama A. Shakhshir

  • Sarjit Singh

  • Jill P. Pell

  • Scott M. Nelson

  • Daniel F. Mackay

  • Claire E. Hastie

  • Logesh R. Sivakumar

  • Michael Fleming

  • February 20, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

Objective:

To investigate associations between treated and untreated maternal asthma and various neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, including ASD, ADHD, and learning difficulties, as well as the impact of asthma treatment.

Key Findings:
  • 12.4% of children had mothers with a record of asthma or asthma medication.
  • 6.7% had mothers with treated asthma, while 2.8% had untreated asthma.
  • Associations between maternal asthma treatment and neurodevelopmental outcomes varied, with some outcomes such as ASD and ADHD showing no significant links.
Interpretation:

The study suggests that while maternal asthma and its treatment are prevalent, their impact on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children is complex and requires further investigation.

Limitations:
  • Potential confounding factors, such as maternal socioeconomic status and smoking, may not have been fully accounted for.
  • The study's observational nature limits causal inferences.
Conclusion:

Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between maternal asthma treatment and neurodevelopmental outcomes, considering the complexities of asthma management during pregnancy.

Original Source(s)

Related Content