Question

Does smoking during pregnancy affect children?

Answer

Smoking during pregnancy can cause various harms to the fetus and infant, including:

  1. Decreased fetal weight, with an average reduction of 200 to 250 grams.
  2. Increased risk of preterm birth.
  3. An increased chance of bronchitis in the first year after birth.
  4. A tendency for slower physical and mental development in infants.
  5. Higher fetal mortality rate when pregnant women develop preeclampsia.
  6. Nicotine entering the infant’s body through breastfeeding from the mother, exposing the infant to the same harm from tobacco.