One of the worst health combinations anyone could concoct is adding nicotine anywhere to the environment of a baby. Yet that's what occurs when a pregnant woman or her partner smokes before the baby is born, or if anyone smokes around a baby after the child comes home. Many people don't realize how deadly nicotine is for the developing fetus before birth, the risks it poses at birth and in the newborn period, and how it affects babies throughout the first year of life.
Prenatal Effects
The most significant adverse effect that smoking has, via nicotine, on the developing fetus is causing intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This is defined as being less than 10 percent of the normal size (growth, weight) for a specific time in pregnancy. In fact, one-third of all IUGR cases are caused by smoking, which is considered the United States' No. 1 preventable cause of IUGR.
Effects During Labor, Delivery and Newborn Period
Among other problems, IUGR babies have smaller brains (due to fewer brain cells) and smaller thymus organs (which is important for fighting infections). Babies exposed to cigarette smoke also have lungs that don't develop normally. These findings may contribute to the problems seen more frequently during labor, delivery and birth--including trouble breathing, seizures, infection and temperature instability.
Once able to go home, these babies have an increased incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Medical studies, such as those led by Dr. Harold Pollack in the U.S. and Dr. K. Wisborg in Denmark, demonstrate that between one-fourth and one-third of SIDS cases can be attributed to cigarette smoking during pregnancy and after delivery.
Effects During Infancy
Babies' problems with nicotine and cigarette exposure don't stop after the newborn period. The surgeon general's office compiled a comprehensive summary of scientific data documenting the numerous ways that exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke hurts everyone, including babies.
Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are shown to have more frequent respiratory symptoms. These include cough, mucus, wheezing and fast breathing. They are more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia and other lung infections.
These babies are more likely to have early and frequent ear infections. They have been shown to start having wheezing at an earlier age. They're likely to have abnormal lung function throughout childhood.
References
- Weiss RB, et al. A candidate gene approach identifies the CHRNA5-A3-B4 region as a risk factor for age-dependent nicotine addiction. PLoS Genet. 2008 Jul 11
- DeCherney, Alan et al. CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology; 2007, Chapter 16, Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pregnancy.
- Samet, J, et al. Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Effects in Children; UptoDate Online; Sept 2009
- Pollack, HA. Sudden infant death syndrome, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and the cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation intervention. Am J Public Health 2001; 91:432.
- Wisborg, K, Kesmodel, U, Henriksen, TB, et al. A prospective study of smoking during pregnancy and SIDS. Arch Dis Child 2000; 83:203.
