CIGARETTE-SMOKING IN PREGNANCY AND RISK OF PREECLAMPSIA

The relationship between smoking in pregnancy and the development of p re-eclampsia has not been well studied. Smoking habits were prospectiv ely evaluated in 117 patients with pre-eclampsia and 468 normotensive control pregnancies. Twenty cases (17.1%) and 120 controls (25.6%) rep orted smoking at any time during pregnancy. In stepwise multiple logis tic regression analysis, smoking in pregnancy was a significant protec tive factor against the occurrence of pre-eclampsia (adjusted odds rat io = 0.50; 95% confidence interval 0.28-0.80, P = 0.018). On the other hand, a history of pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies, low (< 6th grade) educational level, a body mass index > 24 and maternal blood gr oup AB were factors independently associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia. In conclusion, this study confirms that smoking in pre gnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia. However, the harmful consequ ences of smoking on pregnancy outcome far outweigh this risk reduction .