Association between Prenatal Maternal Tobacco Use and Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to the poor growth of a baby while in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. More than 9% of women smoke tobacco and one-third of women consume smokeless tobacco in developing countries. The intent of the study was to examine the effect on fetal intrauterine growth retardation using maternal tobacco. Methods: This convenient case-control study was conducted with 75 cases and 150 suitably matched controls enrolled in the Department of Pediatrics at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital for about 12 months. Ethical considerations were undertaken before the enrollment of patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Result: ST user mothers of IUGR infants used jarda or gul as smokeless tobacco about 5 times a day and smoker mothers smoked about 5 sticks a day. Maternal tobacco use had a higher (6.9 times) risk of having IUGR babies compared to the non-tobacco user. Conclusion: This study observed that maternal total tobacco use showed a risk of having IUGR infants more than 6.9 times in contrast to non-tobacco user.