Trend Associations of Smoking With Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Morbidity

Abstract

Smoking habits, prenatal health, and pregnancy outcome were surveyed among 1700 nulliparous women. During pregnancy, increases in levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit and the frequency of women reporting bleeding and decreases in diastolic pressure and frequency of toxemia were observed with increased maternal smoking. A higher frequency of fetal bradycardia was detected among women smoking greater than or equal to one-half pack per day. With increased smoking there was an increased frequency of abnormal placentas. Mean birth weight and crown-heel length decreased with increased smoking, and neonates born to women smoking greater than or equal to one-half pack per day had a higher frequency of jaundice. The association between smoking and reduced birth weight and crown-heel length persisted after controlling for gestational age, maternal weight gain, prenatal visits, and other confounding variables.

Maternal Smoking in Relation to the Incidence of Early Neonatal Jaundice

“…A recent study reported that maternal smoking of more than half a pack of cigarettes during pregnancy increased the risk of neonatal jaundice (OR = 1.9; p < 0.012) [7]. This study included 1,700 mothers from lower socioeconomic status, of whom 79% were black.…”

“…They include fetal death, intrauterine growth retardation, and a host of addi tional problems which may extend beyond infancy [2,3], However, a possible protective effect for neonatal jaun dice, earlier described by Hardy and Mellits [4] and by Nymand [5], has not received as much attention. Recent studies have yielded conflicting results: Linn et al [6] reported a negative association, whereas Hoff et al [7] found that smoking mothers carried an increased risk of jaundice. Using birth certificate data, we attempted to investigate this issue as well as determine the role of birth weight in modifying the effect of maternal smoking.…”

Environmental factors influencing growth and pubertal development.

“…Alcohol, drug addiction, and smoking may have a severe effect on the height and weight of babies (15)(16)(17), and smoking is known to increase the risk of prematurity (18). The underlying mechanisms appear to be maternal malnutrition with a deficiency of trace elements and placental dysfunction in addition to a direct toxic effect on the fetus.…”

Does maternal nicotine exposure during gestation increase the injury severity of small intestine in the newborn rats subjected to experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

“…As in previous studies in sheep and monkeys, nicotine significantly increased maternal arterial pressure and decreased uterine blood flow [18 -20]. Administration of nicotine during pregnancy has been reported to produce fetal hypoxia [18][19][20][21][22] and decreased birth weight [23][24][25][26].…”

“…Smoking during pregnancy has been clearly associated with decreased birth weight also [23][24][25][26]. One factor that may lead to diminished fetal growth is decreased uterine or placental blood flow.…”