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Paternal smoking and birthweight in Shanghai
1Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7400.
American Journal of Public Health
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, defined as paternal smoking, was linked to a modest decrease in infant birthweight. This finding suggests a potential adverse effect on fetal growth in infants born to non-smoking mothers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Reproductive toxicology
Background:
- Maternal active smoking is a known risk factor for fetal growth retardation.
- Evidence regarding the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on birthweight remains limited and inconclusive.
- This study investigates the association between prenatal ETS exposure and birthweight in Shanghai, China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between prenatal environmental tobacco smoke exposure and birthweight.
- To assess the impact of paternal smoking on fetal growth retardation in infants of non-smoking mothers.
- To contribute to the understanding of ETS effects on infant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 1785 full-term live-born infants of non-smoking mothers in Shanghai (1986-1987).
- Defined environmental tobacco smoke exposure as exposure to paternal smoking.
- Adjusted for gestational age, parity, maternal age, and occupation in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Infants exposed to environmental tobacco smoke had an average birthweight 30 g lower than unexposed infants.
- This difference was statistically significant after adjusting for key confounding factors.
- The findings indicate a modest adverse effect of ETS on birthweight.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal environmental tobacco smoke exposure, specifically paternal smoking, is associated with a modest reduction in infant birthweight.
- The results align with previous research suggesting a negative impact of ETS on fetal development.
- Further research may be warranted to explore the mechanisms and extent of ETS effects on birth outcomes.
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