Maternal passive smoking during pregnancy and neural tube defects in offspring: a meta-analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis suggested that maternal passive smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of total NTDs and three NTDs subtypes in offspring. Specifically, the associations were also found to be significantly positive both in China and USA.

Associations between exposure to ambient benzene and PM2.5 during pregnancy and the risk of selected birth defects in offspring

“…Despite a scarcity of research that elucidates the biological mechanism(s) by which air pollution may cause birth defects, some specific mechanisms have been proposed, including the inhibition of cell proliferation, differentiation, or migration (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2007;Lupo et al, 2011;Wang and Yu, 2004); increased or decreased cell death (Abbott et al, 1989;Millicovsky and Johnston, 1981;Wang and Yu, 2004); and oxidative stress and DNA damage (Hozyasz et al, 2004;Kannan et al, 2006;Meng and Liu, 2007;Meng et al, 2003). Furthermore, the established association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes supports the potential for detrimental influences of ambient air pollution on birth defects (Ritz and Wilhelm, 2008).…”

Meta‐analysis of the association of maternal smoking and passive smoking during pregnancy with neural tube defects

“…Smoking—especially secondhand or passive smoking—is common among pregnant women, and is an environmental risk factor for the development of numerous birth defects including NTDs . Studies in mice have shown that many constituents of cigarette smoke have teratogenic effects and that passive smoking can cause excessive apoptosis in the neural epithelium, inducing NTDs .…”

“…Studies in mice have shown that many constituents of cigarette smoke have teratogenic effects and that passive smoking can cause excessive apoptosis in the neural epithelium, inducing NTDs . In two meta‐analyses, passive smoking during pregnancy significantly increased the risk of NTDs, whereas smoking did not.…”

“…The respective associations of maternal smoking and passive smoking during pregnancy with the incidence of NTDs have been investigated in several studies, but to our knowledge there is no study that has compared the effects of smoking and passive smoking. The present meta‐analysis was conducted to confirm the observed effects of smoking and passive smoking during pregnancy on the risk of NTDs and to compare the risk effects to determine whether the risk is higher with smoking or with passive smoking.…”

Genetic, Epigenetic, and Environmental Contributions to Neural Tube Closure

“…Some find that smoking shows no correlation and some show an increased risk of NTD-affected pregnancies. Recent meta-analyses indicate that maternal smoking confers a small increased risk for spina bifida, and a moderately increased NTD risk in cases of maternal ETS exposure (173, 174). Interestingly, the data suggest regional differences in susceptibility, with maternal smoking being a higher risk factor in Europe than in the United States (173).…”