Abstract
Cigarette smoke is currently the most widely spread harmful substance affecting reproduction. Cigarette smoking is risky even before the woman finds out that she is pregnant.
The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy in the Czech Republic ranges from 6 to 24 %, but it is supposed that even this data is undervalued. Smoking and its many mechanisms contribute to a pathological pregnancy development.
The occurrence of extra-uterine pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage, placental abruption, placenta praevia, premature rupture of foetal membranes and premature birth, is stated to be higher among pregnant women who smoke. The incidence of pre-eclampsia is, on the other hand, lower in pregnant women who smoke.
Cigarette smoking can negatively influence the actual intrauterine development of the foetus, and has consequences of considerable importance even for the subsequent development of the child. Smoking of the father adds to the increased risk of foetal damage.
Smoking of the mother influences the establishment and development of foetal tobacco syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, inborn errors of development, disorders of the respiratory system, increased risk for having malignant tumours during childhood, cardiovascular risks, neural damage and behavioral disorders. Smoking of mothers also unfavourably affects breastfeeding.
Passive smoking of a pregnant woman has a considerably negative effect on the development of the foetus.