Maternal smoking linked to poor infant immunity

Washington, Oct 22 : A new study has revealed that smoking during pregnancy is associated with both respiratory and non-respiratory infections in infants, resulting in increased risk for hospitalization and death.

"We've known for a long time that babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are at high risk for serious medical problems relating to low birth weight, premature delivery and poor lung development," lead study author Abigail Halperin, MD, MPH said.

Halperin said that while respiratory infections have been recognized as a common cause of these sometimes life-threatening illnesses, this study shows that babies exposed to smoke in utero also have increased risk for hospitalization and death from a much broader range of infections- both respiratory and non-respiratory- than we knew before.

The researcher said that the findings were largely independent of birth weight and gestational age, thus even full-term babies with normal weight are at increased risk for hospitalization or death from multiple types of infections if their mother smoked.



The study is to be presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.

--ANI (Posted on 22-10-2013)

health-news headlines

How food texture affects our calorie intake

Cheap 'magic' polypill helps fight heart diseases

Extroverts make for happier humans across cultures

Low-calorie restaurant menus may be making us unhealthier

Why rice is good for your health

Pregnant women with high BP risk preterm delivery and low birth weight

Casual marijuana use could lead to brain abnormalities in young adults

Antibiotics improve growth in kids in developing countries



Now, faster, cheaper blood test to accurately diagnose asthma

Genetic therapy may repair spinal chord: Study



Your e-mail:

Your Full Name:

Type verification image:
verification image, type it in the box


Back to Top