A nationwide, population-based cohort study published in 2026 investigated whether continuing inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with maternal and/or neonatal health risks, including 6,105 pregnant individuals with asthma who used ICSs before pregnancy. Researchers reviewed health records from more than 3.9 million pregnancies in Korea.
Among these women, about one-third continued ICS use during the first trimester, while the rest discontinued use. The study found that continued use of ICSs was not associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications, including gestational diabetes, preterm birth, low birth weight, or congenital malformations. These findings provide evidence to support current recommendations that continued ICS therapy during pregnancy can help maintain asthma control.
Read the full article here.
Read the news article here.