Second-Hand Smoke is Hazardous to Pregnant Women

Researchers have found that pregnant non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are at a 23% increased risk of delivering stillborn babies and a 13% increased risk of having babies with congenital birth defects.  The findings underline the importance of discouraging expectant fathers from smoking around their pregnant partners and warning women of the potential dangers of passive smoking both pre-conception and during pregnancy.  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.  The study from the University of Nottingham drew together the results of research from a systematic review of 19 studies in North and South America, Asia and Europe, and centered on pregnant women who did not smoke themselves but were exposed to second-hand smoke in the home or in the workplace.  While the risk was related to the amount of cigarettes smoked, the data suggested that exposure to as little as 10 cigarettes a day is enough for the risks to be increased.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309