Asthma and Allergy in Pregnancy and Early Infancy

Book excerpt: This volume encompasses the field of allergic disease and asthma during the perinatal period, including the medical and obstetrical management of the pregnant woman, and prevention and treatment in her young child - providing a single authoritative source for the current knowlege on this topic. hormonal and immunological changes, pulmonary physiology and determinants of foetal oxygenation; explores avoidance measures, immunotherapy, psychological care and pharmacological management, including gestational safety data on specific allergy and asthma medications, and medicolegal considerations; presents medical and obstetrical treatment guidelines from several perspectives; covers the relationships to pregnancy and gestational management of other allergic or related conditions, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, anaphylaxis, cutaneous diseases and adverse drug reactions; and reviews genetic and environmental factors in the development of allergy in infancy, the natural history of allergy and asthma during childhood, and prospects for prevention of allergy in infancy.