SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY - ITS ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER MATERNAL FACTORS AND BIRTH-WEIGHT

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (4) , 367-371
Abstract
Data on 293 small-for-dates (SFD), 274 average-for-dates (AFD) and 338 large-for-dates (LFD) pregnancies are analyzed. Of the mothers in the SFD group, 60.7% smoked compared with AFD (29.2%) and LFD (15.7%). Mean maternal height, weight and weight gain was lowest in the SFD group and highest in the LFD group. The mean weight-for-height index was the same in the SFD and AFD groups and higher in the LFD group. Within each group no differences were found between smokers and nonsmokers for height, weight and weight-for-height indices. In the AFD group, net pregnancy weight gain was higher for smokers than nonsmokers. Feto-placental ratios were similar in all 3 groups, and no differences were found between smokers and non-smokers. More infarcted placentas were found in the SFD group, but the proportions for smokers and nonsmokers were alike. The incidence of bleeding during pregnancy and preeclampsia was the same for all groups and between smokers and nonsmokers. Hypertension during pregnancy occurred more often in the SFD group and was more prevalent amongst nonsmokers than smokers. The reduction in birthweight of infants born to smoking mothers appears to be a direct effect.

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