Smoking even one or two cigarettes a day before or during pregnancy can significantly impact newborn health, according to a new analysis of over 12 million families. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, has revealed that smoking before or during pregnancy increases the risk of severe neonatal health issues.
Globally, about 1.7 per cent of pregnant women smoke, with higher rates in Europe (8.1 per cent) and the Americas (5.9 per cent). Smoking during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other complications. The new study highlights that even light smoking—such as one or two cigarettes daily—can have detrimental effects on infant health.
Researchers examined the relationship between smoking and major neonatal complications, including the need for assisted ventilation, NICU admission, suspected sepsis, seizures, and neurological dysfunction. They found that babies born to mothers who smoked before pregnancy were 27 per cent more likely to experience these issues. If the mother smoked at any point during pregnancy, the risk increased by 31 per cent.
The study, which included nearly 12.2 million mother-infant pairs in the US, found that these risks persisted even after adjusting for factors like age, ethnicity, and weight. Smoking at any stage of pregnancy was linked to poorer neonatal outcomes, with heavier smokers facing the highest risks. For instance, children of women who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day were 29 per cent more likely to be admitted to intensive care, while those who smoked one or two cigarettes per day had a 13 per cent higher risk.
Caitlin Notley, a leading addiction researcher at the University of East Anglia, emphasized that cutting down on smoking during pregnancy is insufficient. “Any smoking at all during pregnancy impacts infant outcomes,” she noted. Notley advocated for complete cessation and suggests using nicotine replacement therapies or switching to e-cigarettes as harm reduction strategies.
Overall, the study underscored the importance of complete smoking cessation to protect infant health and prevent serious neonatal complications.
