Fetal response to maternal smoking

Abstract

Although it is well known that maternal smoking is associated with decreased fetal weight, there is not much granular information about the effects of maternal smoking on the fetus. In this issue of The Journal, Harrod et al evaluated the timing and the amount of maternal smoking during pregnancy on fetal body composition using the PEA POD system (COSMED, Rome, Italy). They found that infants weighed 2.8 grams less for each pack of cigarettes their mothers smoked during pregnancy—a very provocative dose-response observation. Further, most of the weight difference was a decrease in fat-free body mass. Women who stopped smoking during late pregnancy did not have fetuses that weighed less than those in the no smoking control group. This observation may be effectively used to encourage women who smoke to discontinue before late pregnancy. Overall, the clear message is that smoking effects are dose and time in pregnancy dependent, and less smoking late in pregnancy is better if women cannot stop smoking. Article page 707▶ Quantity and Timing of Maternal Prenatal Smoking on Neonatal Body Composition: The Healthy Start StudyThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 165Issue 4PreviewTo examine the dose-dependent and time-specific relationships of prenatal smoking with neonatal body mass, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and FM-to-FFM ratio, as measured by air-displacement plethysmography (PEA POD system). Full-Text PDF