MATERNAL SMOKING AND MATERNAL EXPOSURE TO PASSIVE SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY AS A RISK FACTOR OF HEALTH HAZARDS AFFECTING NEWBORNS

Background: Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy , whether as active smoking or by exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), is associated by adverse pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight (LBW) , small for gestational age newborns due to the effect of tobacco on the anthropometric measurements of the fetus. Other more serious birth defects such as cleft palate and heart problems. The objectives of this study were to estimate the effect of maternal smoking or exposure to SHS on the anthropometric measurements and the prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and some birth defects among term newborns.
Methods: Data were collected from women in the obstetric ward of Suez CanalUniversity hospital following delivery .One hundred and twenty full terms were divided into 2 groups: group (A) neonates whose mothers were smokers or exposed to SHS and group (B) as control group whose mothers were not smokers and were not exposed to SHS. After receiving medical history from parents, all neonates were subjected to clinical examination including neonatal reflexes and anthropometric measurements. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 15.
Results: Group A neonates whose mothers were smokers or exposed to SHS had significantly reduced weight than control group (group B) and there was no significant difference between 2 groups regarding length and head circumference measurements. Significant higher rates of LBW (low birth weight) and respiratory distress needed further assessment and higher rates of stillbirth were shown in group A.
Conclusion: Exposure to SHS and maternal smoking were associated with reduced birth weight in fullterms and increased frequency of LBW respiratory distress and stillbirth