Effect of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based asthma management during pregnancy versus usual care on infant development, temperament, sensory function and autism signs.

Abstract

In this sample, FENO-guided asthma treatment during pregnancy did not improve infant developmental outcomes in the first year of life. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: ACTRN12613000202763. • Maternal asthma during pregnancy has been associated with increased rates of neurodevelopmental conditions in offspring, including intellectual disability and autism. • This is the first study to examine how managing asthma during pregnancy via a FENO-guided algorithm or usual care affects infant developmental and behavioural outcomes. While the results of the study showed no impact of the intervention, and therefore do not support the integration of FENO-based management of asthma in antenatal settings for optimal infant development, they do send a positive message about the implications of active asthma management during pregnancy on infant developmental outcomes.