Cessation of smoking during pregnancy improves foetal growth and reduces infant morbidity in the neonatal period. A population‐based prospective study

Abstract

All pregnant women in Uppsala county in 1987 were questioned on three different occasions about smoking habits, socio‐demographic factors and obstetric history. After delivery, information was collected regarding their children. Twenty percent of the mothers continued to smoke during pregnancy, while 8% stopped smoking. The mean birth weight of infants of smokers was 3378 g and of non‐smokers 3589 g. The difference was significant (p < 0.001) and persisted after statistical adjustment for maternal age, parity and educational level. Perinatal morbidity (admission to the Department of Neonatology) was higher in thc smoking group (11.4% versus 8.8%, p < 0.05). The proportion of infants with a birth weight less than 2500 g and that of small‐for‐gestational‐age infants were 60% and 100% greater, respectively, in the smoking group. The mean birth weight and perinatal morbidity rate in infants of mothers who stopped smoking were almost identical to those in infants of non‐smokers. Cessation of smoking improves foetal growth and perinatal health.