Question
The baby is very small and has been feeling unwell recently, always coughing and crying in discomfort. The parents are heartbroken to see their baby suffering, and when they went for a check-up, they were told the baby has an abdominal wall defect. They would like to ask if there is a relationship between the baby’s abdominal wall defect and smoking?
Answer
Whether it’s passive smoking, smoking during pregnancy, or especially smoking in the first three months before pregnancy, all have a significant correlation with fetal congenital abdominal wall defects. This correlation increases with the amount of daily smoking. Previous research has shown that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Studies have also found that smoking during pregnancy has different effects on boys and girls. Girls are more likely to exhibit poor behavior, while boys are more likely to have hyperactivity disorders.