Papers And Originals
Cigarette Smoking in Pregnancy: Its Influence on Birth Weight and Perinatal Mortality
Br Med J 1972; 2 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.5806.127 (Published 15 April 1972) Cite this as: Br Med J 1972;2:127- N. R. Butler,
- H. Goldstein,
- E. M. Ross
Abstract
In a British population cigarette smoking during pregnancy increased the late fetal plus neonatal mortality rate by 28% and reduced birth weight by 170 g, and these differences persist even after allowing for a number of “mediating” maternal and social variables. A change in smoking habit by the end of the fourth month of pregnancy places a mother in the risk category appropriate to her changed habit. This evidence should have important implications for health education aimed at getting pregnant mothers to give up smoking.