Babies exposed to smoke are at a higher risk of many health problems.
A new research study found that babies who were born to moms who smoked during pregnancy were at a higher risk for health problems. Babies born to moms who smoked were:
- 2.7 times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS),
- 2.3 times more likely to be born small (low birth weight),
- About 1.5 times more likely to be born early (preterm), and
- 1.5 times more likely to die from preterm-related problems [1].
Even though many moms are quitting smoking during pregnancy, there are still many moms who are still smoking while they are pregnant [1].
Moms aren’t the only ones who need to stop smoking. Being around other people who smoke (secondhand smoke) puts moms at a higher risk of having an early or small baby[2]. Smoking around a baby can put the baby at a higher risk for dying of SIDS, and of having respiratory illnesses, ear problems, and asthma [2].
The chemicals that are left over on furniture and walls in a room where someone has smoked (sometimes called thirdhand smoke) are also very dangerous for babies [3].
Here are some programs that can help with quitting smoking.First Breath
A program to help pregnant women quit smoking.
http://www.wwhf.org/pg_firstbreath.asp
Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation
Had Enough?
877-270-STOP
877-2NO-FUME (en Espanol)
http://www.hadenoughwisconsin.com/
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
800-QUIT-NOW
http://www.WiQuitLine.org
Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention
Freedom From Smoking Online
http://www.ffsonline.org
American Lung Association
References
1. Dietz, P.M., England, L.J., Shapiro-Mendoza, C.K., Tong, Van T., Farr, S.L., & Callaghan, W.M. (2010). Infant Morbidity and Mortality Attributable to Prenatal Smoking in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(1), 45-52. Available at: http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797(10)00258-8/abstract.
2. Best, D., Committee on Environmental Health, Committee on Native American Child Health and Committee on Adolescence. (2009). Secondhand and Prenatal Tobacco Smoke Exposure. Pediatrics, 124, e1017-e1044. Available at: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/124/5/e1017.
3. Johansson, A.K., Hermansson, G., & Ludvigsson, J. (2004). How Should Parents Protect Their Children from Environmental Tobacco-Smoke Exposure in the Home? Pediatrics, 113, e291-e295. Available at: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/113/4/e291
Prepared by Trina Salm Ward
salmward@wisc.edu
(414) 219-4084
