According to a study published in European Journal of Preventive cardiology, fathers-to-be should quit smoking when their partners are pregnant. It can result into congenital heart defects in a baby if the environment has constant smoke elements. The study also states that passive smoking is far more dangerous and injuring the growing fetus.

As per Jiabi Qin from Central South University in China, “Fathers are a large source of second-hand smoke for pregnant women, which appear to be even more harmful to unborn children than women smoking themselves. The association between prospective parents smoking and the risk of congenital heart defects has attracted more and more attention with the increasing number of smokers of childbearing age. In fact, smoking in fathers-to-be and exposure to passive smoking in pregnant women are more common than smoking in pregnant women.”

Details about Study

It was for the first time that a study focused on paternal smoking in great details. The earlier studies have focused on maternal smoking and how it is hazardous to the fetus. To bring the point forth, researchers has complied the evidence gathered up till June 2018. In this data, there were 125 studies involving 137,574 babies with congenital heart defects and around 8.8 million parents.

The study also sheds light on the fact that all kinds of parental smoking during pregnancy encourage risk of congenital heart defects. The slabs are roughly described as – 74% by men smoking, 124% by passive smoking in women, and 25% by women smoking.

Mom-to-be and Smoking

“Women should stop smoking before pregnancy to ensure they are smoke-free when they conceive, staying away from people who are smoking is also important. Employers can help by ensuring that workplaces are smoke-free. Doctors and primary healthcare professionals need to do more to publicize and educate prospective parents about the potential hazards of smoking for their unborn child,” said Qin.

Maternal smoking aggregates the risk of congenital heart defects – a significant rise by 27% for atrial septal defect and a 43% greater risk of ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

About Congenital Defects

Around 8 babies from every 1 lakh new-born babies suffer from congenital heart defects. This can have an effect on the quality of life. Though there are surgeries to improve it, it still leaves a deep impact.

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