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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of postnatal infections in preterm neonates

Dorthe Lisbeth Jeppesen1, Susanne Dam Nielsen, Annette Kjaer Ersbøll

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark.

Neonatology
|January 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of infections in preterm infants. Even moderate smoking significantly elevates the chances of these neonates developing infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Maternal health
  • Public health

Background:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes.
  • Established risks include preterm delivery, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal smoking on postnatal infection risk in preterm neonates.
  • To quantify the association between tobacco exposure and infection incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 80 preterm infants (24-36 weeks gestational age).
  • 40% of infants were exposed to maternal tobacco smoking in utero.
  • Statistical analysis assessed the effect of gestational age and smoking on infection occurrence.

Main Results:

  • Infections were observed in 31 infants.
  • Both gestational age and maternal smoking significantly influenced infection rates (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015).
  • Each 10 cigarettes/day increase in maternal smoking correlated with an odds ratio of 2.7 for infections (95% CI 1.1-6.4).

Conclusions:

  • A significant link exists between maternal tobacco use and infections in preterm neonates.
  • Public health campaigns highlighting tobacco's detrimental effects remain crucial.
  • Reducing maternal smoking is vital for improving preterm infant outcomes.
Abstract

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