Research article summary (published 14 May 2007):

Prevalence of maternal smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy and impact on birth weight: retrospective study using Millennium Cohort.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses of studies investigating the impact of maternal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on birth weight have not produced robust findings. Although, ante natal ETS exposure probably reduces infant's birth weights, the scale of this exposure remains unknown. We conducted a large, cohort study to assess the impact of ETS exposure on birth weight whilst adjusting for the many factors known to influence this. METHOD: Retrospective study using interview data from parents of 18,297 children born in 2000/2001 and living in the UK 9 months afterwards (the Millennium Cohort Survey). Comparison of birth weight, sex and gestational age specific (SGA) z score, birth before 37 weeks and birth weight < 2.5 Kg (LBW) in infants born to women exposed to: i) no tobacco smoke, ii) ETS only and iii) maternal smoking whilst pregnant. RESULTS: 13% of UK infants were exposed to ETS and 36% to maternal smoking ante natally. Compared to no ante natal tobacco smoke exposure, domestic ETS lowered infants' adjusted mean birth weights by 36 g (95% CI, 5 g to 67 g) and this effect showed a dose-response relationship. ETS exposure also caused non-significant increases in the adjusted risks of Low Birth Weight (<2.5 Kg) [OR 1.23 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1.58) and premature birth [OR 1.21 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1.51)], whilst the impacts of maternal smoking were greater and statistically significant. CONCLUSION: UK prevalences of domestic ETS exposure and maternal smoking in pregnancy remain high and ETS exposure lowers infants' birth weights.

Author information

Author/s: Ward, Corinne (C); Lewis, Sarah (S); Coleman, Tim (T);

Affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. mzyxcmw(-atsign-)nottingham.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: BMC public health (BMC Public Health), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 7 (issue ) : pp 81

Dates: Created 2007/05/31; Completed 2007/06/11; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 17506887, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Age Distribution Birth Weight Cohort Studies Female Gestational Age Great Britain - epidemiology Humans Infant, Low Birth Weight Infant, Newborn

Male Maternal Exposure - adverse effects; statistics & numerical data Pregnancy Prevalence Questionnaires Retrospective Studies Risk Assessment Sex Distribution Smoking - adverse effects; epidemiology Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects; statistics & numerical data

Associated Chemicals: Tobacco Smoke Pollution (0)

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