Reduction in birth weight associated with smoking among young and older-age women

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
A Roberto Frisancho, Shelley L Smith

Abstract

This study examined the combined effects of maternal smoking and maternal age on birth weight. A sample of 1,851 white, full-term infants (37 to 42 weeks) born to primiparous mothers ranging in age from 18 to 41 years was derived from the database of the Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS), available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The mothers were classified into three age groups-young, middle-aged, and older-aged-corresponding respectively to values below the 15th, between the 15th and 85th, and at or above the 85th percentile of age. Analyses of the data show that the reduction in birth weight associated with maternal smoking when compared with nonsmoking averaged 181 gm for the young group (18 to 20 years), 162 gm for the middle-aged group (21 to 29 years), and 154 gm for the older-aged group (30 to 41 years). These differences are independent of total income. Hence it appears that the birth weight-reducing effect of smoking is not enhanced among women of older reproductive ages (30 to 41 years). Furthermore, the reduction in birth weight is dose responsive. That is, the greater the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the lower is the resulting mean birt...Continue Reading

References

Apr 15, 1972·British Medical Journal·N R ButlerE M Ross

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 2, 2009·Journal of Medical Primatology·J L SlingluffG B Hubbard
Aug 7, 1998·APMIS. Supplementum·S K Kjaer
Aug 28, 2001·Social Biology·S Kirchengast, B Hartmann

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.