We are already aware about the hazards of smoking during pre-conception and pregnancy. Pre-natal smoking not only paves way for psychosis, but also raises the risk of heart defect in newborns. And here is another investigation which sheds light on the harmful effects of passive smoking. A latest study undertaken by the University of Nottingham, claims that pregnant non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke have higher chances of delivering stillborn babies or babies with defects.
In this study, it was pointed out that passive smoking may elevate the risk of still birth by almost one-quarter which is 23 percent and congenital birth defects by 13 percent. Hence, fathers have to be discouraged from smoking around their pregnant partners also women should be made aware about the potential dangers of second-hand smoke during pre-conception and pregnancy. The study findings were determined after scrutinizing a total of 19 studies initiated in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.
“Mothers’ smoking during pregnancy is well-recognized as carrying a range of serious health risks for the unborn baby including fetal mortality, low birth weight, premature birth and a range of serious birth defects such as cleft palate, club foot and heart problems. Since passive smoking involves exposure to the same range of tobacco toxins experienced by active smokers, albeit at lower levels, it is likely that coming into contact with second-hand smoke also increases the risk of some of all of these complications,” remarked Dr Jo Leonardi-Bee, of the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies at the University.
These investigations encompassed pregnant women who did not smoke themselves but were exposed to second-hand smoke in the home by their partners or workplace by colleagues. The present study focused on evaluated the probable harmful impact of passive smoking on miscarriage, newborn death and congenital birth defects. The study findings apparently have major implications in the medical world.
The study will be published in the April edition of the journal Pediatrics.