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

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.