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[Effect of maternal smoking on offspring growth]

G Salazar1, C García, R Berlanga

  • 1Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.

Revista Medica De Chile
|January 29, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking significantly impacts infant growth. Even at three months, babies born to mothers who smoke weigh less than those born to non-smoking mothers, highlighting risks of passive smoking.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology

Context:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy and postpartum is a significant public health concern.
  • Infant growth and development are sensitive indicators of environmental exposures.
  • Breast milk is a primary source of nutrition for infants, and its composition can be affected by maternal lifestyle.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal smoking on the growth trajectory of exclusively breastfed infants up to three months of age.
  • To objectively assess maternal smoking exposure and nicotine transfer to infants using urinary cotinine levels.
  • To compare the growth parameters of infants born to smoking versus non-smoking mothers.

Summary:

  • This study compared the growth of 20 infants (10 from smoking mothers, 10 from non-smoking mothers) exclusively breastfed for one month.
  • Urinary cotinine levels confirmed higher exposure in smoking mothers and their infants, indicating nicotine transfer.
  • At three months, infants of non-smoking mothers exhibited significantly higher average weight compared to infants of smoking mothers.

Impact:

  • Urinary cotinine levels serve as a reliable biomarker for quantifying maternal smoking and assessing infant exposure to nicotine.
  • The findings underscore the adverse effects of maternal smoking on infant growth, even in exclusively breastfed infants.
  • This research highlights the importance of smoking cessation interventions for maternal and child health, emphasizing the risks of passive smoke exposure.
Abstract

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