Pregnancy smoking risk cut if women quit early
Fri March 27th, 2009
Women who stop smoking early in pregnancy may reduce the risk of premature birth, researchers reported today.
Givng up by the 15th week of pregnancy may bring the risk down to that enjoyed by non-smokers, according to the findings.
Dr Lesley McCowan of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and colleagues say that smoking during pregnancy is linked to premature birth and "small for gestational age" babies. It also raises the risks of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and stillbirth.
But few studies have investigated whether there is a critical time by which smoking must stop, in order to prevent these complications.
The team compared outcomes among non-smokers, women who stopped smoking in early pregnancy, and those who continued. A total of 2,504 women took part. Analysis found that current smokers were younger, were more likely to be single, had fewer years of schooling, and were less likely to be employed than non-smokers. They were also more likely to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and less likely to be taking folic acid or pregnancy multivitamins.
There were no differences in rates of premature birth or small for gestational age infants between non-smokers and stopped smokers. But current smokers had higher rates of both.
Full details are published on the website of the British Medical Journal. The team write: "Our results are of considerable public health importance. The data suggest that the adverse effects of smoking on these late pregnancy outcomes may be largely reversible if smoking is stopped early in pregnancy, offering an important incentive for pregnant women who smoke to stop smoking early in pregnancy.
"Maternity care providers should strive to assist pregnant women who smoke to stop early in pregnancy, emphasising the major health benefits if they cease to smoke before 15 weeks' gestation."
Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Nursing & Midwifery | Australia| Respiratory
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