Abstract

PIP: In this prospective study, 151 female nonsmokers and 167 smokers (1-20 cigarettes/day) were studied to determine the harmful effects of smoking on the fetus and the preegnancy. Literature on damage to the fetus due to maternal smoking is reviewed. Adverse effects include prematurity, small-for-date gestational infants, and abruptio placentae. Congenital malformations, higher perinatal mortality, and hypertension were not more frequent. It is concluded that smoking is harmful to gestation and that it should be forbidden, during pregnancy. (author's modified)