Anthropometric measurements of newborns of women who smoke waterpipe during pregnancy: a comparative retrospective design

Abstract

Waterpipe tobacco smoking carries adverse health consequences due to high level of chemical toxicants. This study investigated the anthropometric measurements of singleton newborns of Jordanian women with no known chronic diseases who smoked waterpipe during pregnancy, and the difference in these measurements in newborns of pregnant women who smoked waterpipe, cigarettes, both types, and none during pregnancy. The study also investigated the pattern of different types of tobacco smoking as a function of pregnancy trimester. A descriptive, comparative, retrospective, cross-sectional design was used. Two hundred and eight-five women (74 waterpipe, 84 cigarettes, 26 dual, 101 none) and their newborns were recruited from three hospitals. A questionnaire was used while interviewing mothers to assess tobacco smoking pattern. The results showed that compared with non-smokers, mean birth weight was 0.47 kg (95%CI = -0.70 to -0.35) lower for waterpipe-only smokers, 0.23 kg (95%CI = -0.41 to -0.8) lower for cigarette-only users, and 0.59 kg (95%CI = -0.81 to -0.31) lower for dual users. Compared to non-smokers, mean newborn length was 2.7 cm (95%CI = -3.80 to -1.42) lower for dual smokers, 2.2 cm (95%CI = -3.28 to -1.58) lower for waterpipe smokers, and 1.2 cm (95%CI = -2.01 to -0.45) lower for cigarette smokers. Compared with non-smokers, mean newborn head circumference was 1.9 cm (95%CI = -2.72 to -1.65) lower for waterpipe smokers, 1.7 cm (95%CI = -2.65 to -1.16) lower for dual smokers, and 0.8 cm (95%CI= -1.34 to -0.36) lower for cigarette smokers. From these results, we may conclude that waterpipe tobacco smoking during pregnancy can contribute to a reduction in newborn's anthropometric measurements. Increasing awareness of waterpipe tobacco smoking adverse effects and developing cessation interventions in pregnancy is needed.

Keywords: anthropometric; newborn; pregnancy; tobacco use; waterpipe tobacco smoking.