MARLBORO - WINSTON - L&M - CAMEL - PARLIAMENT - KENT - CLASSIC

Antismoking researchers have found important associations between smoking during pregnancy, endothelial dysfunction and growth restriction in the unborn baby.

Endothelial dysfunction is a physiological dysfunction of normal biochemical processes carried out by the endothelium, the cells that line the inner surface of all blood vessels including arteries and veins.

Endothelial dysfunction can lead to reduced dilation of blood vessels, inflammation of the vascular wall and an increase in the incidence of blood clots.

A group of scientists tracked 41 pregnant women, 21 of whom smoked ten or more cigarettes a day and 20 who were non-smokers. The women were studied between week 28 and week 32 of their pregnancy.

Endothelial function is responsible for modulating vascular tone, vessel size and regulation of blood flow and in this study it was assessed by the ultrasound technique flow-mediated dilatation. Endothelial function can be improved significantly by exercise and improved diet.

Researchers tested the main blood vessel of the upper arm, the brachial artery, by measuring its diameter following induced reactive hyperemia when blood collects in an organ of the body because of a blockage in the veins that move the blood out.

The smokers in the group were asked to abstain from cigarettes from midnight before the test began at nine am. After 10 minutes of rest, a blood pressure cuff was placed on the lower arm and inflated for five minutes to cause reactive hyperemia. At the completion of the test the women had a 10 to 15 minute break during which time the smokers could choose to have none, one or two cigarettes. The test was then repeated on all the women.

Results showed that the women who smoked during pregnancy had persistent endothelial dysfunction which remained at a constant level whether one or two cigarettes had just been smoked or following a nine-hour break from smoking.

Professor Philip Steer said: "There is extensive evidence that women who smoke during pregnancy do so at great risk to themselves and to their baby. Smoking is linked to miscarriage, premature birth, and placental abruption.

This research is further proof that pregnant women must stop smoking to ensure that their babies have the healthiest start.

The reason why smoking is not good for pregnant women is because it will cause premature birth and the baby will weight quite less than normal. Pregnant women must not think about smoking, they must think only about their baby health.