Postnatal sequelae of parental smoking during and after pregnancy

Abstract

Tobacco smoking by pregnant women is related to significant health risks to the developing foetus. Moreover, the infant experiences continued tobacco chemical exposure after birth via lactation and passive inhalation. Thus, maternal and paternal smoking during the postnatal period represents continued risk to the developing infant and to children in later life. A review of postnatal health and neurobehavioural effects of tobacco chemical exposure is presented.

Compared to offspring of non-smokers, infants of smokers have 2.4 times more low Apgar (<2) scores, 3.5 times more hospital admissions, 30 per cent more bronchitis and pneumonia, 35 per cent more low Bailey development scores, 42 per cent more apnoea episodes, a 10–50 per cent increased risk of teenage cancer, a 52-200 per cent higher risk of SIDS, and a 2.8 times greater risk of death before five years old. Parental smoking is also associated with other long-term sequelae such as asthma, hay fever, allergies, decreased respiratory functions, retarded motor and perceptual development scores, hyperkinesis, and lagging school performance at 11 years old.

Quality smoking cessation programmes have reported 18-43 per cent maternal cessation rates and 28–42 per cent smoking reduction during pregnancy. These findings indicate that substantial child health improvement may be achieved by providing parents with smoking and child health risk information.