Smoking by Parents Linked with Congenital Heart Defects

Smoking by both fathers and mothers may be associated with an increased risk for congenital heart defects, a new meta-analysis suggests.

The researchers, publishing in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, sought to explore the relationships between paternal and maternal smoking and the risk for congenital heart defects in offspring. The meta-analysis represents the first of its kind looking at the topic, and looked at smoking at different stages of pregnancy

“Fathers-to-be should quit smoking.” said study author Dr. Jiabi Qin, of Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China, said in a press release. “Fathers are a large source of secondhand smoke for pregnant women, which appears to be even more harmful to unborn children than women smoking themselves.”

All Smoking Increases Risk

The sample ended up including 125 studies, involving 8.8 million prospective parents and 137,574 babies with congenital heart defects. According to the study results, parental smoking of all types were associated with increased risk of congenital birth defects. Maternal active (P<0.01) and passive (P<0.01) smoking, as well as paternal active smoking (P<0.01), were most strongly associated with increased risk for congenital heart defects in the offspring (representing  a 25%, 124%, and 74% increase in risk, respectively, compared to those with no exposure). Maternal active was significantly associated with a 27% increased risk for atrial septal defect (P=0.03) and a 43% increased risk of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (P=0.03) in the offspring compared to nonsmokers.

“Women should stop smoking before trying to become pregnant to ensure they are smoke-free when they conceive,” said Dr Qin. “Staying away from people who are smoking is also important. Employers can help by ensuring that workplaces are smoke-free.”

Dr. Quin added that doctors and providers “need to do more to publicize and educate prospective parents about the potential hazards of smoking for their unborn child.”

Parental smoking and the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: An updated meta-analysis of observational studies https://t.co/0ftISL9fh9@escardio @m_piepoli #EJPC #EAPC_ESC #ESCCoT #smoking #freeaccess pic.twitter.com/ZDJfXPTG2b

— European Society of Cardiology Journals (@ESC_Journals) March 26, 2019

Paternal #smoking equals mother-to-be smoking in increasing the risk of #congenital #heartdisease #EJPC #EAPC #smoke #pregnancy #pregnancyproblems #prevention #CardioTwitter @ESC_Journals @SAGEHealthInfo @SAGEClinMed @m_piepoli @paolo_emilio @krychtiukmd https://t.co/pwXZW5Yimt pic.twitter.com/afTwXy80p4

— Silvia Castelletti (@SilCastelletti) March 24, 2019

We normally think of the father's lifestyle as having little impact on fetal development, but this meta-analysis shows paternal smoking as having a similar increase in congenital heart defects as maternal smoking #biom4180 #CHD https://t.co/ZGvzl3X2tW

— Landon Warder (@landon_warder) March 24, 2019

A new study demonstrates the need for avoidance of smoking in both maternal and paternal counterparts during pregnancy in order to decrease the risk of congenital heart defects! #biom4180 https://t.co/qAu3Dou4np

— Sara Marcine (@MarcineSara) March 24, 2019

Parental smoking and the risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: Study found that maternal active smoking, maternal passive smoking and paternal smoking all increased the risk of congenital heart defects in developing babies. #pediatrics #OBGYN https://t.co/5dfyrIdUI4

— Donna Manders (@SmokeFreeLife) March 25, 2019