A review of the literature on the effects of smoking on the health during pregnancy has been undertaken. Recent data on smoking patterns in the USA are listed and the gravity of the effects of passive smoking is bronght out. The review of some new data shows that smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of fetal and infant mortality, and that the risk is dose-related. The factors by means of which smoking leads to the increase of fetal and infant mortality are given and include: low birthweight, premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae, placenta previa and tubal pregnancy.
Smoking; Pregnancy complications; Infant mortality; Fetal death