The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69246

Dmitry Krupitsky, MSPH¹, Shirley J Thompson, PhD², and Cheryl L Addy, PhD². (1) Department of Public Health, University of Hawaii at Manoa (part of MSPH thesis completed at University of South Carolina), 1960 East-West Rd D210, Honolulu, HI 96822, 808-956-5740, dmitrykrupitsky@hotmail.com, (2) Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208

Objective: To investigate the relationship between smoking, the reduction of smoking and term intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Methods: Population-based data from October 1992 to December 1995 were provided by the SC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). Statistical analyses were performed with SUDAAN software for weighted data. The cohort consisted of 2,862 term births (weighted n=105,306). Term-IUGR, defined as less than the tenth percentile of birthweight for gestational age among infants of >37 gestational weeks, was based on race and sex specific standards for SC.

Results: The odds of having a term-IUGR baby were 3.69 times (95 % CI 2.39, 5.68) greater among women who smoked prior to conception and during the third trimester than among women who did not smoke either time after adjusting for confounders. Among women who smoked prior to conception but quit smoking prior to the third trimester of pregnancy, the risk of having a term-IUGR baby was similar to that of the nonsmoker. Among smokers, reduction by 10 cigarettes per day prior to the third trimester decreased the risk of IUGR by 50% (adjusted OR=0.50, 95% CI 0.31, 0.81).

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that smoking is a strong risk factor for IUGR; the effect of cigarette smoking on growth retardation is more pronounced during the last trimester of gestation and any reduction in smoking is likely to be beneficial. Interventions to reduce maternal smoking should begin prior to the third trimester of pregnancy.

Learning Objectives:

• To investigate the relationship between smoking, the reduction of smoking and term intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Low Birthweight

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: PRAMS (South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.