Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of postnatal infections in preterm neonates.
BACKGROUND
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is known to be associated with perinatal complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of smoking during pregnancy on the risk of postnatal infections in preterm neonates.


METHODS
We examined 80 preterm infants (gestational age 24-36 weeks), of whom 40% had been exposed to tobacco smoking during pregnancy.


RESULTS
Infections occurred in 31 infants. Gestational age and maternal smoking had a significant effect on the occurrence of infections (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015, respectively). An increase in maternal tobacco consumption by 10 cigarettes/day showed an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.1-6.4) for occurrence of infections.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant association between maternal use of tobacco and the occurrence of infections in preterm neonates was found. Thus, campaigns about the damaging effects of tobacco are still warranted.
Jeppesen
Dorthe Lisbeth
DL
Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Nielsen
Susanne Dam
SD
Ersbøll
Annette Kjaer
AK
Valerius
Niels Henrik
NH
D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*