Passive Smoke Affects Unborn babies, too
- Posted by MetropolisMom on June 7th, 2008 filed in Pregnancy
Photo from MyLiveASAnnie
Now there is even more reason to steer clear of secondhand smoke: A new study reveals that if you are exposed to it during pregnancy, your baby is too.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found significant levels of nicotine and its major by-product, cotinine, in the hair of newborns whose mothers had been exposed to passive smoke for at least three hours a day during pregnancy. A baby’s hair reflects what he has been exposed to over a long period of time. Infants of smoking mothers have a higher rate of prematurity, low birth weight, and other medical problems. However, this is the first evidence that infants of passive smokers may also be at risk.
Most of the mothers-to-be studied were married to smokers. Many pregnant women have given up smoking of their own health and the health of their babies. Scientists were hoping that this evidence will persuade the partners of prengant women to quit or, at least, to limit their smoking.
There is no evidence that occasional exposure to smoke presents a risk, however, pregnant women who work every day in a smoky environment should be concerned.
If it is possible to ask for a change in your work environment without risking your job, do what you can to make a change.
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