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Smoking during pregnancy and vision difficulties in children: a systematic review
Michelle Fernandes1, Xiao Yang, Jinying Y Li
1Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Insights
Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases children's risk of visual problems, including strabismus and retinopathy. Quitting smoking during pregnancy is crucial for fetal eye health.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy is a significant public health issue.
- Intrauterine exposure to smoking is linked to childhood growth and neurodevelopmental problems.
- Limited research exists on the impact of maternal smoking on childhood visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and examine the trend in visual outcomes for children exposed to maternal cigarette smoking in utero.
- To identify specific visual difficulties associated with prenatal smoking exposure.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of online databases was conducted between February and May 2013.
- Twenty-four non-randomized studies were identified and assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- Eighteen of the 24 studies indicated an increased risk of adverse visual outcomes in children exposed to maternal smoking.
- Higher rates of strabismus, refractive errors, and retinopathy were observed in children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy.
- Specific visual faculties, including intraocular muscles and retinal neurons, appear more susceptible to smoke exposure.
Conclusions:
- Fetal exposure to cigarette smoke is a significant risk factor for visual problems later in life.
- Evidence supports public health initiatives encouraging smoking cessation for pregnant women and their partners.
- Targeted interventions may be necessary to address visual impairments resulting from prenatal smoke exposure.
Abstract:
Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is a major public health concern. Intra-uterine exposure to maternal cigarette smoking is associated with increased risks of growth and neurodevelopmental problems during childhood and later life. Few studies have focussed on visual difficulties in children in the context of maternal smoking during pregnancy. A systematic search of online databases was carried out between February and May 2013 to examine the trend in visual outcomes in children exposed to maternal cigarette smoking during intra-uterine life. Twenty-four non-randomized studies were identified. Each study was rated for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Most studies (n = 18) reported fetal exposure to active or passive maternal cigarette smoking to be associated with an increased risk of adverse visual outcomes in children. In particular, there were higher rates of strabismus, refractive errors and retinopathy among children of women who smoked during pregnancy. These findings suggest that fetal exposure to cigarette smoke is a significant risk factor for visual problems during later life and that certain visual faculties, such as the intraocular muscles and retinal neurons, are more affected than others. The findings provide evidence in support of public health policies aimed at reducing fetal exposure to smoking by advising both women and their partners to quit smoking during pregnancy.
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