Effect of advanced uncomplicated pregnancy on pulmonary function parameters of North Indian subjects

The study was conducted on 100 pregnant women in third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy (Test group) and 100 age-matched non-pregnant women (Control group) in the age group of 25 to 35 years. Pulmonary function test parameters FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75% recorded using Medspiror. The FEV1/FVC ratio was calculated. All parameters except FEV1/ FVC ratio were found to decline in the Test group as compared to the Control group. The decrease in FEV1 with pregnancy was not of such amplitude as decrease in FVC, and hence FEV1/FVC ratio was seen to increase. This study validates the physiological changes in pulmonary function brought by pregnancy and highlights the need to compile expected and accepted alterations in predicted values of PFT in comparison with the non gravid states for safer outcome of the pregnancy.