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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
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(1-800-232-4636)
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E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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2004 Surgeon General’s Report—The Health Consequences of Smoking
Impact on Unborn Babies, Infants, Children, and Adolescents
Disclaimer
Highlights
- Research has shown that women’s smoking during pregnancy
increases the risk of pregnancy complications, premature delivery, low-birth-weight
infants, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (pp. 527, 601)
- The nicotine in cigarettes may cause constrictions in the blood
vessels of the umbilical cord and uterus, thereby decreasing the amount of oxygen
available to the fetus. Nicotine also may reduce the amount of blood in the fetal
cardiovascular system. (p. 564)
- Nicotine is found in breast milk. (p. 616)
- Babies of mothers who smoked during pregnancy have lower birth
weights. Low birth weight is a leading cause of infant deaths. (p. 527, Martin et
al. 2002)
- In general, pregnant smokers eat more than pregnant nonsmokers,
yet their babies weigh less than babies of nonsmokers. This weight deficit is
smaller if smokers quit early in their pregnancy. (pp. 564–565)
- Smoking by the mother causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Compared
with unexposed infants, babies exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are at twice
the risk for SIDS, and infants whose mothers smoked before and after birth are at
three to four times greater risk. (pp. 584–585, 601)
- Mothers’ smoking during pregnancy reduces their babies’
lung function. (pp. 467, 508)
- In 2001, 17.5% of teenaged mothers smoked during pregnancy.
Only 18% to 25% of all women quit smoking once they become pregnant. (pp. 527, 550)
- Children and adolescents who smoke are less physically fit and
have more respiratory illnesses than their nonsmoking peers. In general,
smokers’ lung function declines faster that that of nonsmokers. (pp. 485, 509)
- Smoking by children and adolescents hastens the onset of
lung function decline during late adolescence and early adulthood. (pp. 473–474, 508–509)
- Smoking by children and adolescents is related to impaired
lung growth, chronic coughing, and wheezing. (pp. 473–474, 485, 508–509)
Disclaimer: Data and findings provided on this page reflect the content of
this particular Surgeon General's Report. More recent information may exist
elsewhere on the Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site (for example, in fact sheets,
frequently asked questions, or other materials that are reviewed on a regular
basis and updated accordingly).
Page last updated May 27, 2004