A pilot project to detect and manage respiratory problems in pregnant women with neuromuscular disorders

The IT-NEUMA-Preg study was conducted in seven Italian hospitals between 2015 and 2022. Of the 94 pregnant women included :

  • 24 were found to be at risk of developing respiratory disorders likely to have an impact on the pregnancy in progress or in the postnatal period,
  • these women were able to benefit from prevention of these problems using non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and/or respiratory physiotherapy sessions alternating insufflation and exsufflation,
  • 9 patients had respiratory complications after delivery but without any indication for intubation or tracheostomy.

All the children from these high-risk pregnancies were well.

 

Peri-partum respiratory management of pregnant women with neuro-muscular disorders: a prospective observational study (IT-NEUMA-Pregn study). Racca F, Longhitano Y, Zanza C et al. BMC Anesthesiol. 2023 Oct 13;23(1):342.