Noninfectious respiratory disease in pregnancy.

Overview

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy increases the risk of many noninfectious respiratory conditions. OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical presentation and management of a variety of noninfectious respiratory conditions in pregnant women. SUMMARY: Asthma, aspiration pneumonia, venous air embolism, adult respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis may have unique features in pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation and treatment of these diseases and conditions requires an understanding of the normal physiologic alterations that accompany pregnancy and an awareness of the risks of medication use during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.