Maternal smoking at first prenatal visit as a marker of risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes in the Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region

Abstract

Inuit women who reported not smoking, or smoking less than 5 cigarettes per day had birth outcomes equal or superior to average Canadian outcomes in each category evaluated. Those women reporting smoking more than 10 cigarettes daily had significantly increased risk for preterm birth, low birth weight and small for gestational age infants. Because those in the highest smoking category also reported the highest rates of alcohol and other substance use, it is likely that a combination of factors assessed in this study influenced the outcomes. Along with public health preventative measures to reduce smoking directed to this high risk group, other contributing factors for adverse birth outcomes need to be assessed more fully to understand the complex interactions that lead to increased smoking, substance use and, therefore, adverse birth outcomes. Furthermore, evidence from this study suggests that smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day, reported at first prenatal visit, may provide a marker for those women at highest risk of poor outcomes, which could provide direction for focused public health efforts.