Since their market launch in 2007, e-cigarettes gained popularity and were considered a relatively safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age in particular are increasingly turning to e-cigarettes. Little is known about the effects of prenatal exposure on the affected foetus. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current research on the effects of prenatal e-cigarette exposure on the foetus. Since studies in humans are lacking to date, this review refers only to animal and in vitro analyses. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were used for an extensive literature search. The search yielded N = 17 significant research papers. Possible sequelae resulting from prenatal exposure to traditional cigarettes were also seen in prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes. Prenatal e-cigarette exposure was found to be associated with increased DNA methylation overall, resulting in lower gene expression. This could adversely impact the development of affected children, especially in case of those genes relevant to their development. In mice, for example, this greatly reduced the cell vitality of neural and stem cells and increased cell death. Further, prenatal exposure to e-cigarettes resulted in numerous developmental disorders, such as malformations of facial morphology and lower birth weight. Moreover, in animal models the animals suffered from a deterioration of their short-term memory. Activity and cognitive flexibility increased, while anxiety behaviour decreased. It is clear that more research and especially studies of humans are needed on this issue. In addition, there is a need for more intense education of prenatal care professionals as well as women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

Aims: The consumption of alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy relate to a multitude of personal and socioeconomic factors. Since even the consumption in non-clinical populations pose a health risk to children, epidemiologic data related to factors potentially contributing to an increase in consumption during pregnancy were investigated. Methodology: Cross-sectional analyses were based on interview data from 260 pregnant women taking part in a longitudinal intervention project (Bremer Initiative to Foster Early Child Development). Women had a below-average family income, a migration background, or faced other social and cultural challenges. Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine consumption prevalence. Logistic regression models were conducted to estimate associations of alcohol or nicotine consumption with personal and socioeconomic factors. Results: Of the total sample (mean age: 31.1 years), 45 % consumed alcohol and/or nicotine during pregnancy. 92.3 % quit drinking and 62.8 % stopped smoking following confirmation of pregnancy. Better social support and higher age increased the likelihood of alcohol consumption, while this was decreased by an Islamic cultural background. Smoking was predicted by a lower level of education. Unplanned pregnancies predicted the consumption of both, alcohol and nicotine. Conclusions: A multitude of factors influence alcohol and nicotine consumption in non-clinical populations. Preventive strategies should include pre-pregnancy stages and health information needs to mirror factors contributing to consumption.