Smoking during pregnancy may raise risk for heart defects in babies

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/aaop-sdp042514.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 3-May-2014

Contact: Debbie Jacobson
American Academy of Pediatrics
Smoking during pregnancy may raise risk for heart defects in babies
Data show risk for congenital anomalies highest among babies born to older women who smoke and heavy smokers

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Women who smoke during pregnancy may be putting their newborns at risk for congenital heart defects, and the more they smoke, the higher the risk, according to a study to be presented Saturday, May 3, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been linked to many birth defects, such as cleft lips and palates, and missing and deformed limbs. Some studies also suggest maternal smoking may be associated with heart defects.

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