Perinatal Exposure to Maternal Smoking and Long-Term Pulmonary Function Impairment Risks

Abstract

Background:
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is still a major public health problem and is linked to adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes. Exposure to tobacco smoke during the perinatal period can impair fetal lung growth, causing structural and functional respiratory abnormalities that may continue into childhood and adolescence.

Objectives:
To assess the relationship between maternal smoking exposure during perinatal period and the risk of long-term impaired lung function in offspring.

Methodology:
A prospective cohort study was conducted with 280 mother–infant pairs. Maternal smoking status was recorded in pregnancy and offspring followed for up to 10 years. Pulmonary function was evaluated by spirometry parameters: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. The association between prenatal smoking exposure and respiratory outcomes was investigated using statistical analysis.

Findings:
Thirtytwo point one percent of mothers smoked during pregnancy among the participants. Children exposed to maternal smoking had significantly lower mean FEV1 values (81.4 ± 7.6% predicted) than non-exposed children (91.2 ± 6.9% predicted, p < 0.001). Recurrent wheezing and asthma was prevalent in 28.7% of exposed children and 12.4% of non-exposed children. In the longitudinal analysis, prenatal smoke exposure was associated with a 22.5% increased risk for long-term pulmonary function impairment.

Conclusion:
Exposure to maternal smoking at birth is associated with reduced lung function and increased respiratory illness in childhood. Smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy are important to protect fetal lung development and improve long-term respiratory health outcomes.