The impact on infant birth weight and gestational age of cotinine-validated smoking reduction during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

Smoking reduction among pregnant women appears to increase infant birth weight. Of 803 pregnant women, 78 quit smoking and 725 continued smoking. Levels of cotinine, which is the major product of nicotine metabolism, were measured and used as evidence of smoking cessation or smoking reduction rather than self-reports. Cotinine-validated smoking reduction was observed in 144 of the 725 women who continued smoking. Infant birth weights were highest among women who had quit smoking and second highest among women who had reduced smoking. The lowest infant birth weights were among women who had not changed their smoking habits. The average gestational age at delivery was 39.3 weeks among women who quit smoking compared with 38.3 weeks among women who continued smoking. Smoking reduction did not appear to have an effect on gestational age at delivery. While encouraging pregnant women to quit smoking should remain a top public health priority, smoking reduction should be encouraged among those who cannot stop smoking altogether.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Pregnant women, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Smokers, Smoking

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What Do Home Monitors Contribute to the SIDS Problem?

Article Abstract:

Home devices that monitor a newborn baby's breathing are probably not necessary for most babies, even those that are premature. A study found that most sleeping babies have periods of apnea now and then, but it almost never causes sudden infant death syndrome. It is more beneficial to put babies to sleep on their backs.

Editorial, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Prevention, Sleep apnea syndromes, Sleep apnea, Sudden infant death syndrome, Patient monitoring, Physiologic monitoring

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Prospects for Research in Reproductive Health and Birth Outcomes

Article Abstract:

Research in obstetrics will focus on reducing the rate of premature birth and developing more effective treatments for premature babies. Advances in fertility treatments will help infertile couples but many parts of the world are impacted by overpopulation.

Research, Premature birth, Infertility

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