According to a study conducted by researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., pregnant women who have been exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke have a higher rate of miscarriages, stillbirths and fetal deaths.
The study, led by epidemiologist Andrew Hyland, found that pregnancy risks associated with women’s secondhand smoke exposure were almost as high as the risks related to their own cigarette smoking.
The team of researchers analyzed data from a study of over 80,762 women, all between the ages of 50 and 79. Researchers asked the women about their own smoking and the amount of secondhand smoke they were exposed to as children and adults, as well as about their history of pregnancy problems.
Among women who never smoked themselves, the chances of having a stillbirth were 22 percent higher for those who were exposed to any tobacco smoke than for unexposed women. For women who were exposed to the highest lifelong levels of secondhand smoke, the risk of having a stillbirth was even greater – 55 percent higher than among unexposed women.
The study is the first to investigate the effects of secondhand smoke using quantified, lifetime exposure levels. While it’s known that secondhand smoking is harmful, the researchers are optimistic that their findings will dissuade future fathers and mothers from smoking while pregnant.
“This is excellent ammunition for us to emphasize what we’ve known for a long time, but now we’ve got data to support it,” said Dr. Maurice Druzin, a vocal supporter of the study.
“This is the first study that shows that secondhand smoke has the same effect as being a primary smoker,” he continued. “That is a game changer.”
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.