Country-based report: the safety of omalizumab treatment in pregnant patients with asthma

Turk J Med Sci. 2021 Oct 21;51(5):2516-2523. doi: 10.3906/sag-2101-341.

Abstract

Background/aim: We aimed to report outcomes of pregnant patients with asthma under omalizumab treatment and their infants in our country.

Materials and methods: Patients with asthma who received omalizumab for at least 6 months and at least one dose during their pregnancy were retrospectively evaluated using a questionnaire regarding their disease and therapy and the health of their infants.

Results: Twenty pregnant patients and their 23 infant’s data were analyzed. The mean delivery age was 31.8 ± 7.4 years. They received omalizumab for 28.9 ± 21.8 months. Eight (36.4%) patients showed exacerbation of the disease during pregnancy. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and asthma control test (ACT) scores at the starting time of omalizumab administration, first month of the pregnancy, and after delivery were 71 ± 18%, 83.4 ± 10.5%, and 80.5 ± 13% (FEV1), and 11.9 ± 4.9, 20.2 ± 2.6, and 20.4 ± 2.2 (ACT), respectively. One patient gave birth to twin infants, two patients to two infants each in different years, and 17 to one infant each. Three (13%) infants had low birth weight and five (21.7%) were born prematurely. No congenital anomalies were detected. Seven (30.4%) infants presented atopic diseases during their life.

Conclusion: Omalizumab treatment during pregnancy seems to be safe for both patients and their infants.

Keywords: Exacerbation; gestation; infant; omalizumab; pregnancy; prematurity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Omalizumab / adverse effects
  • Omalizumab / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Omalizumab