Taking a Stand against Mothers Smoking During Pregnancy

Introduction

Tobacco is one of the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Nicotine, an alkaloid which is derived from tobacco plants, is a potent chemical that has powerful effects on the human body, especially when administered rapidly and in large doses. Prenatal exposure to nicotine is associated with adverse reproductive function, including altered neural structure and functioning, cognitive deficits and behavioral problems in offspring. At least 20% - 30% of pregnant women estimated to smoke cigarettes, although smoking is associated with low birth weight, prematurity and infant mortality.

Discussion

In the United ...