Birth defects that arise from smoking

Scientists involved in the study of birth defects, found that children born of mothers who smoke are more likely to suffer from deformed limbs. And if a woman does not want to have a baby born with birth defects, it should during pregnancy to give up cigarettes.

A team of scientists from University College London, led by Professor Allan Hawkshaw examined 172 studies published over the last 50 years to make the first serious review of the physical effects of tobacco on newborns. It turned out that smoking during pregnancy   increases the risk of birth of a child with missing or deformed limbs. Risk congenital malformations   women smokers increases by 26%.

In addition, a 28% increased risk of birth of a baby with a cleft palate or cleft lip, and still grows by 33% the risk of defects of the skull. Finally, cigarettes can cause fetal gastroschisis - malformation of the baby, at which the falling out of the abdominal cavity. Its danger at Smoking during pregnancy   increased by 50%.

Total researchers studied 174,000 cases of birth defects. The results of their work are published in the journal Human Reproduction. Alas, even in relatively prosperous UK, where smoking is banned in all public places, and the cost of cigarettes is the highest in Europe, according to statistics, 17% of pregnant smoking women and 45% of girls under the age of 20. In Russia, these figures are much higher.

"It has long been known that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, birth of a child underweight - said Professor Hawkshaw. - But until now nothing has been said about the dangers of birth defects. Now we were able to prove this relationship ".

Modern diagnostics allows a woman to figure out all the possible risks to health. In Moscow, the largest network of diagnostic laboratories invitro together with the American company "Baskin Robbins" opened a medical office of the new format, which can not only deliver the biomaterial for laboratory studies, but also spend time with the child. It is no secret that parents often costs a lot of effort to bring the children to the medical office. A new office for the little patients a single treatment room equipped with toys and books, and right here, just a few steps operates an ice cream parlor where the child Mozhga treat tasty treat. Unique office is located at: Moscow, ul.Konyushkovskaya 30 .

Pregnancy and Gynecology

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