Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
06:07

Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System

Published on: October 22, 2020

Cigarette smoking in pregnancy: Associations with maternal weight gain and fetal growth

D P Davies, M Abernethy

    Lancet (London, England)
    |February 21, 1976
    PubMed

    1159 mother-infant "pairs" have been studied to examine the inter-relationship of cigarette smoking in the latter half of pregnancy, maternal weight gain, and fetal growth. Non-smokers gained significantly more weight than heavy smokers (greater than 15 cigarettes per day) while light-to-moderate smokers (1-14 cigarettes a day) were intermediate. Birth-weight, length, and head circumference of the infants showed a similar gradient with infants born to non-smokers being heavier, longer, and with larger head circumferences than those born to heavy smokers. Co-variance analysis showed that a large part of the effect of maternal smoking is mediated through maternal weight gain with only a very small additional direct effect on the fetus. This suggests that increasing weight gain in smoking mothers might prevent some of the harmful effects of smoking on fetal growth. A randomised controlled trial of diet supplementation of smoking mothers would seem justified.

    More Related Videos

    Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes05:13

    Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

    Published on: February 28, 2025

    Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment08:53

    Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment

    Published on: March 24, 2026

    Related Concept Videos

    Teratogenicity01:07

    Teratogenicity

    The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
    Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

    Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

    Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
    Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
    Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

    Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

    Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
    Stimulants01:29

    Stimulants

    Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
    Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
    Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

    Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

    Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
    Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

    Development of the Oral Microbiota

    The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...