Infant Exposure to Cigarette Smoke the Focus of StudiesNovember 7, 2008
Research Summary
New research shows that women who smoke during pregnancy were nearly 2.5 times more likely to have babies with oral clefts.
"Babies with oral clefts require significant medical care -- often four surgeries by age two -- and may have speech, hearing, and feeding problems," said Gary Shaw of the March of Dimes and lead author for the study.
Two studies examined the consequences of maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy and the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on infant behavior.
In one study, researchers gathered information on the relation between maternal smoking and birth defects, studying serum samples collected between 2003 and 2005 from pregnant women enrolled in the California Expanded AFP (alpha fetoprotein) program.
In another study, researchers examined 56 healthy infants and used surveys and cotinine measurements to determine cigarette smoke exposure. The 28 babies who were determined to have been exposed to cigarette smoke were more irritable and difficult to control than the 28 who were not exposed. Smoking-cessation programs for mothers along with programs to help new mothers manage a baby who is difficult to soothe were suggested by the researchers.
The editorial accompanying the research findings said that the two studies were more evidence that smoking should be considered a major pediatric concern and that prevention programs may be the best solution. "Proven prevention measures include having family dinners and focusing on the negative body impact of smoking," said Cynthia Bearer of the University of Maryland and Matthew Stefanak of the Mahoning County District Board of Health in Ohio, editorial co-authors.
The studies and an accompanying editorial were published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics.
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