This large, population-based study from Finland examined over 1.27 million mother–child pairs and found that maternal asthma is associated with a modestly increased likelihood of various offspring neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD, autism, motor-developmental disorders, and learning disabilities. Importantly, both allergic and non-allergic forms of maternal asthma showed similar associations, while maternal atopy or lower respiratory infections alone were not linked to increased risk. Use of asthma medications during pregnancy, including inhaled corticosteroids and β2-agonists, generally did not alter the risk, although a specific combination therapy (formoterol-budesonide) showed a lower risk profile for neurodevelopmental disorders, except for ADHD.
Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings across subgroups and after controlling for variables like maternal psychiatric history, parity, and socioeconomic status. Although the study could not fully adjust for heritable neurodevelopmental disorders or track diagnoses made later in adulthood, the results align with prior research linking maternal asthma to adverse pregnancy and child outcomes. Overall, the findings highlight maternal asthma as a modest but notable risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, independent of inflammation type. This suggests a need for further research into underlying mechanisms beyond simple inflammatory pathways.
Reference: Kemppainen M, Gissler M, Kirjavainen T. Maternal asthma during pregnancy and the likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2025 Jan;104(1):235-244. doi: 10.1111/aogs.15008. Epub 2024 Nov 14. PMID: 39540656; PMCID: PMC11683540.
