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Influence of smoking and alcohol during pregnancy on outcome of VLBW infants

J Spiegler1, R Jensen2, H Segerer3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.

Zeitschrift Fur Geburtshilfe Und Neonatologie
|December 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of growth-restricted very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and postnatal complications like Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Alcohol consumption was linked to lower birth weight.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Maternal nicotine and alcohol use are linked to premature delivery and adverse neonatal outcomes.
  • Understanding the impact of these exposures on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is crucial for improving neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the influence of self-reported maternal nicotine and alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the outcomes of VLBW infants.
  • To compare neonatal outcomes, early childhood development, and specific health issues based on prenatal exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter study involving 2475 parents of VLBW infants born between 2009-2011.
  • Questionnaires assessed maternal smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
  • Infants were stratified by exposure, and outcomes including growth, development, and conditions like Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) were compared.

Main Results:

  • Nicotine-exposed infants showed higher rates of intrauterine growth restriction, birth weight below the 10th percentile, and placenta abruption.
  • Maternal alcohol consumption was associated with a higher frequency of birth weight below the 3rd percentile.
  • Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had increased rates of BPD and ROP, though 2-year growth and development did not differ.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for growth-restricted VLBW infants.
  • Prenatal nicotine exposure appears to elevate the risk of postnatal complications such as BPD and ROP in VLBW infants.
Abstract

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