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[Is smoking during pregnancy a cause of premature delivery?]
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Smoking during pregnancy significantly increases preterm birth risk by 50%. Quitting smoking could prevent 5-20% of preterm births, highlighting smoking cessation as a key preventative strategy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Neonatology
Context:
- Preterm birth remains a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity.
- Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, preterm birth rates are unchanged, and mortality remains high.
- The etiology of most preterm births is unknown, necessitating research into preventable causes.
Purpose:
- To review English-language publications on the association between smoking during pregnancy and preterm birth.
- To identify smoking as a potentially preventable risk factor for preterm birth.
Summary:
- Smokers exhibit approximately a 50% higher risk of preterm birth compared to non-smokers.
- A dose-response relationship exists, with increased smoking correlating to higher preterm birth risk.
- Cessation of smoking in pregnant women could potentially prevent 5-20% of all preterm births.
Impact:
- Highlights smoking cessation as a critical public health intervention for reducing preterm birth rates.
- Provides evidence supporting targeted smoking cessation programs for pregnant women.
- Informs clinical practice and policy recommendations aimed at preventing preterm birth.
Abstract:
Preterm birth is an important determinant of perinatal mortality and morbidity. During the last ten years the rate of preterm birth has remained unchanged, and even though advances in neonatal intensive care have improved the chances of survival of the preterm child, the mortality remains high. In most cases the etiology is unknown, but several factors have been associated with preterm birth. However, most of these factors are not accessible for prevention. The search for preventable causes of preterm birth is therefore important. We reviewed English publications concerning smoking during pregnancy and preterm birth. We conclude that smokers have about a 50% higher risk of preterm birth compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, a dose response relationship seems to be present; the more the pregnant women smoke the higher the risk of preterm birth. If all pregnant women stopped smoking it can be estimated that between 5% and 20% of all preterm births could be avoided.