Effects of maternal cigarette smoking on fetal breathing and fetal movements.
The effect of cigarette smoking on fetal breathing and fetal movements was studied in 10 women with low-risk pregnancy of 34 to 38 weeks' gestation. A continuous Doppler ultrasound method was used to measure fetal breath intervals. Smoking two cigarettes caused a small increase in the rate of fetal breathing (p < 0.01), which persisted for 60 minutes; the proportion of time the fetus spent breathing was not changed. There was a decrease in the number of fetal movements felt by the mother. These findings are discussed in relation to the alleged pathophysiologic effects of tobacco smoking on the fetus.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009068:Movement; D011247:Pregnancy; D012119:Respiration; D012907:Smoking / Q000502:physiology*