Snuff and Pregnancy
Two totally incompatible situations
Smoking during pregnancy is a serious issue with important implications for maternal and fetal health
Tobacco use is associated with several severe diseases, especially heart disease, various cancers and stroke. He is also well correlated with mortality from all causes.
While in industrialized countries, smoking prevalence is stable or tends to decline in developing nations this addiction is increasing, especially in women.
Situation in the Río de la Plata
According to data obtained from surveys conducted between 2001 and 2004, two of the countries with the highest percentage of women smokers in Latin America are Argentina and Uruguay. It should also be noted that Argentina is among the world producers of snuff and, paradoxically, many provinces receive government subsidies to facilitate the industry.
It is important to know this information linked to the growth rates of smoking among women to promote cessation of snuff, especially in patients of reproductive age. The smoking habits during pregnancy endanger the mother’s health and particularly that of the fetus.
Fetal exposure to snuff
Effects of snuff during pregnancy are numerous. The most serious and important are placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortions, the increased incidence of premature births and sudden infant death syndrome in infants.
These actions are attributed both to the direct toxicity of snuff and the effects of lack of fetal oxygenation.
Similarly, has been linked to smoking during pregnancy with the following changes in the newborn:
- Cleft lip
- Cleft palate
- Increased prenatal mortality
- Restlessness, insomnia
- Weak suck during lactation
Treatments available
none of the treatments currently available drug for smoking cessation can be used during pregnancy. Therefore, it is essential to the advice of health professionals (doctors, midwives, nurses) to ensure that the mother stop smoking.
Similarly, public health campaigns are essential to stimulate primary prevention, preventing women of reproductive age into the habit of smoking before pregnancy. It recognizes the success of these education programs in various societies and cultures as well as in different age groups. On the other hand, pregnancy is an optimal time to encourage the suspension of smoking in women.
Conclusions
Both smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy represent a public health problem of great magnitude. It is very important to ensure women’s access to effective health programs that allow snuff leave during pregnancy.