Smoking with Asthma While Pregnant Is Dangerous

Pregnant women who smoke as well as having asthma are greatly increasing the risk of complications for themselves and their unborn children, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide (Australia) conducted a retrospective analysis of 172,305 singleton pregnancies in the state of South Australia between 1999 and 2008, examining maternal asthma, cigarette smoking, and quantity of smoking to estimate odds ratios. The study found that both asthmatic females who smoked and those who did not smoke during pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of gestational diabetes, antepartum haemorrhage, polyhydramnios, premature rupture of membranes, emergency Caesarean section, small for gestational age fetuses, and congenital abnormalities.

In all, 5.8% of pregnant women who were not asthmatic and non-smokers experienced a preterm birth. However, for asthmatic women, the preterm birth rate increased to 6.5%; among smoking women, 9.4% experienced preterm birth. Moreover, for asthmatic women who also smoked, the rate of preterm birth jumped to 12.7%, more than double the normal rate. Smoking alone was also associated with an increased risk of a number of poor neonatal outcomes, with a dose-response relationship observed. The study was published online ahead of print on July 30, 2013, in the European Respiratory Journal.

“Quitting smoking during pregnancy is very difficult, and therefore pregnant women need as much support as possible from family, friends, and health professionals,” concluded lead author Nicolette Hodyl, MD, and colleagues of the school of pediatrics and reproductive health. “Our results show that even a reduction in the number of cigarettes women smoke per day can lead to some improvement to the risks to their child. However, the potential for poor health outcomes for both the mother and child should not be underestimated.”

Smoking during pregnancy causes additional health problems, which are dangerous to the mother and baby, including early separation and bleeding of the placenta. Smoking during and after pregnancy is also a known risk factor of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

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