Pregnant Women who Smoke May Cause Developmental Delays in Children

In a new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, scientists at the University at Buffalo - Research Institute on Addictions and the School of Public Health and Health Professions, researchers looked at the impact of social and environmental factors on smoking cessation in a sample of low-income, pregnant smokers. The researchers are trying to shed light on why pregnant women do not quit smoking and other questions related to the prevalence and dangers of smoking while pregnant.

In the study, they found that 47 percent of women who smoked also had a partner who smoked. What surprised the researchers, however, was the finding that when a woman's friends smoked, the probability that these pregnant women would continue to smoke increased. Gregory G. Homish, PhD, UB assistant professor in community health and health behavior and first author on the study says that it isn't entirely clear why the influence of friends was greater than the influence of family members. Dr. Homish stated, "It may be related to the amount of time women spend with friends compared to relatives. It is also possible that the nature of the relationship is important to consider." Homish continued on to state "Side-stream smoke readily enters the bloodstream and may have significant physiological and neurological influences on the fetus." This statement is made with great warning as side-stream (secondhand) smoke contains more chemicals and carcinogens than first-hand smoke.

Rina Das Eiden PhD, co-researcher and senior research scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions says the finding "may point to the need for including the woman's social network and partner in smoking cessation treatment." The findings are part of a larger research project known as Prenatal and Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure: Effects on Child Regulation, conducted from 2006 - 2011 the University at Buffalo.  Researchers studied pregnant smokers' social networks, behavior and overall health, as well as the health of their newborn children, up to the age of two. Continue Reading

Dutch scientists evaluated more than 250 children for signs of arterial damage by means of thickness and flexibility to assess damage caused by smoke exposure while in womb.

In the study, children were evaluated at various points of time. At the initial visit when the child was 4-weeks of age, body dimensions and lung function were measured while parents filled out a survey that included questions regarding smoking before, during pregnancy, and after. At five years of age; the children returned and researchers utilized an ultrasound to measure the thickness and flexibility of the carotid artery, the vessels in the neck that deliver blood to the brain. During this visit updated information about smoking habits was collected from parents.

From the data collected, researchers shared: Continue Reading

With one quarter of all pregnant women hiding the fact that they smoke,what is the future for their pregnancies and their children?

Research shows that women who smoke during pregnancy have a much higher rate of preterm, low birth weight, or even fetal death. Women who stop smoking before becoming pregnant can help protect a baby's life.

Here we examine the effects smoking during pregnancy have on developing babies. If you have plans to get pregnant, consider quitting today.