It has been known for years that smoking during pregnancy has nonetheless, an adverse effect on newborns. In choosing this case study, interest in the neurological being of newborns exposed to cigarette smoking compared to those who had no exposure was the basis of the study. Conclusive prior knowledge of these negative effects, such as stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and decreased oxygenation in utero, were all components of which helped base the decision of a relevant study. It describes the effects of cellular growth and fetal development throughout the term of pregnancy. With a strong personal interest in Pediatric care, choosing this article on smoking during pregnancy provides invaluable information and useful knowledge for my future. It is vital for women of all socio-economic standards to know the consequences that derive from not only smoking, but also alcohol and drug abuse. Prenatal care is the most important part of a child’s life. A parent jeopardizing the life of a newborn is a calamity when he/she results with brain damage or even death. Knowing the negative impact upon fetal development, it is imperative healthcare providers become an advocate of smoking cessation programs, and assist the pregnant women.

In the article Smoking During Pregnancy and Newborn Neurobehavior, the objective was to seek the effects that maternal smoking had on newborns. Included in the study were postpartum mothers ages 18-35, of whom 16 were nicotine exposed and 26 were unexposed, or took part in the control group-a total of 42 participants. These mothers were chosen after completing a questionnaire on their medical history. The researchers in this case were very precise when it came to their decisions; mothers who had also been exposed to drugs and/or alcohol were dismissed from the study. In the smoker group, the mothers smoked approximately 6.7-12.9 cigarettes per day during the entire pregnancy. In order to measure the nicotine exposure, the cotinine content, nicotine’s primary metabolite, was tested for in the mothers’ saliva. The cotinine content in the mothers’ saliva measured 32.9 ng/mL; the control group’s measured 0.0 ng/mL. While the mothers were sought upon to meet all requirements necessary for the study, the newborns were examined as well. All newborns in this study were healthy full-term, meaning they were born between 36-41 weeks. They had appropriate gestational or developmental weight, and were delivered vaginally.
When the study on the newborns was to take place, the researchers had concrete characteristics they were specifically looking for. Characteristics tested/assessed on these newborns were:

Attention, Arousal, Regulation, Handling, Quality of movement, Excitability, Lethargy, Nonoptimal Reflexes, Asymmetrical Reflexes, Hypertonicity, Hypotonicity, Total Stress/Abstinence, Physiological, Autonomic, CNS (central nervous system), Gastrointestinal, Visual, Skin, and General State.

In these tests, it may already be presumed that newborns exposed to nicotine, showed a greater excitability and number of asymmetrical reflexes, as well as a greater hypertonia. These newborns were also very easily aroused and showed stress/abstinence signs. Due to their easy arousal, these nicotine-exposed newborns were harder to handle. Signs of stress/abstinence would include irritability and uncontrollable, high-pitched crying. With this, it is proven that smoking during pregnancy had nothing more than negative effects on newborns that are not only uncomfortable for the newborn itself, but may as well add stress to the mother post-term.

In regard to this study, I feel it was performed well. The researchers were very precise when it came to choosing their participants. Their control was very accurate as well, including women approximating the same age, gravada (how many times they were pregnant), parity (how many times they gave birth), employment, education, and drug and alcohol use. These are very important demographics in that, those who may live different lifestyles could ultimately have different effects pre and post-term. Before responding to this study, I took the initiative to visit the Labor and Delivery department at the Jennersville Regional Hospital. I asked questions as to how they know when a newborn has been exposed to any drugs or alcohol. For instance, are these newborns more excitable, easily agitated, and what kind of weight and physical appearance did these newborns show? I was then shown an assessment sheet that the nurses use while examining the newborn. This checklist has an accurate amount of abstinence signs that was also used during the study. With this, I feel this case study is of much relevance and shows characteristics that back up smoke-free pregnancies.

Smoking During Pregnancy and Newborn Neurobehavior is a study that should be posted in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and in Pediatric care facilities all around. It is sad to say that many mothers-to-be may perceive the negative results of smoking during pregnancy as though it will not happen to them. Unfortunately, it does, and it is what causes low birth weight, stillbirth, and possible brain damage. Not only does smoking during pregnancy decrease the likelihood of a healthy newborn, but smoking post-term in the presence of the newborn increases the chances of the baby becoming more vulnerable to colds and other lung infections, asthma, ear infections, and most sadly SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In conclusion, quitting smoking not only lessens the chance of health defects of the newborn, but also decreases the mothers’ risk of lung disease, reproductive disorders, and heart disease. Unfortunately, it would take a miracle for every mother to perceive this fact of life and make the change.