Is maternal smoking harmful to the physical growth of offspring at early childhood?

Abstract

The effect of maternal smoking on birth weight of their babies, the effects of smoking during lactation and in the post-weaning period on growth in height and weight of children up to the age of 7 years were investigated. The sample consisted of 1511 children (778 boys and 733 girls) examined at two follow-up studies in May and December 1997. Retrospective data on birth-weight, height and weight up to the present investigation were available from the child's health record book. The results of the investigation revealed more frequent occurrence of lower birth-weight among children born to mothers smoking during pregnancy than among those born to non-smokers. Similar results were also gained for children in the pre-school period.