The leading cause of death for children under one year of age, the Unexpected Death of Infants (MIN) is at the origin of 400 at 500 deaths each year in France. Among the risk factors, fetal exposure to nicotine. The details of Professor Hugues Patural, head of the pediatric resuscitation and neonatology unit at the University Hospital of St Etienne, live from the National Congress of Reference Centers for the Unexpected Death of Infant (MIN), organized in Nantes this September 25.
In France, 15% to 20% of pregnant women are considered active smokers. " With 1 at 10 cigarettes a day, fetal exposure to nicotine multiplies by 4,3 the risk of infant death in its first year of life "Says Patural. " This risk goes to 6,5 if the woman smokes between 10 and 20 cigarettes per day, and 8,6 from 20 ».
An overexposed fetus. During pregnancy, " the porosity of the placental barrier is such that one can barely speak of a barrier ", Notes Professor Hugues Patural. So when a pregnant woman smokes a cigarette, nicotine absorption is immediate. " The nicotine concentrations in the fetus exceed 15% those of the mother, and 88% those of the maternal plasma ».
Respiratory and cardiovascular fragility. « Fetal exposure to nicotine reaches the nicotinic receptors of the fetal brain, and neurotransmission 
is altered ". In the unborn child, this toxicity disturbs sleep. More serious, it increases the risk of neurocognitive disorders, behavioral and attentional but also of cardiopathies, sternal cracks and pulmonary malformations.
Better warning the MIN. In total, among the 400 to 500 MIN listed each year in France, the causes are known in 60% of cases. " But so far, due to lack of data, it is impossible to estimate the number of deaths due to nicotine "Says Patural.
That's why since May 2015, the National Observatory of the unexpected death of the infant allows health professionals to report each death occurring between 0 and 2 years. Initiated by the National Association of Centers Referring to the Unexpected Death of Infants (ANCReMIN), " thanks to this device, professionals gather socio-economic, clinical and biological information related to the death ". The objective is to list the impact of each of the risk factors to better prevent their occurrence.
In the end, even if the use of the e-cigarette is strongly discouraged for pregnant women (if it contains nicotine) but to choose it is probably better to vape than to smoke during pregnancy. Anyway if you are in this case, it is absolutely necessary to discuss it with your doctor and your gynecologist before acting.
Source : Ladepeche.fr
