A new study has analyzed the effects of smoking before pregnancy, that is, during the period of conception. It is revealed that smoking, even passive, is harmful to the unborn child, electronic cigarettes would also be concerned.
We already knew that pregnant women who smoke or breathe in smoke during pregnancy have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with brain abnormalities. But this study from Duke University showed that the risk was the same for women exposed before conception. The Dr. Theodore Slotkin said : " Women are warned about smoking during pregnancy, and most people are aware that secondhand smoke is dangerous for the fetus, but our study is the first to show that exposure to tobacco before conception is potentially dangerous. as well. The researchers also hypothesize that tobacco alters the metabolism and hormonal balance of the spleen. Also, electronic cigarettes would have the same effect.
AN IMPACT ON LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR
The study was carried out on rats. While exposure to tobacco during pregnancy is known to affect areas of the brain that involve learning, memory and emotional behavior, these are the same symptoms that offspring of female rats exposed to tobacco prior to conception exhibit. They have real dysfunctions at the cholinergic receptor level, which affects learning and memory. Tobacco also affects the serotonin circuits responsible for emotional behavior. In addition, the worst damage was seen in offspring of rats exposed to tobacco at the end of gestation. Researcher Slotkin concludes: “ These findings are important for public health, as they indicate the need to avoid second-hand smoke not just during pregnancy, but even during the period of conception, and generally at the age of becoming a mother. »
Source : Paroledemamans.com
