COSTS OF MATERNAL CONDITIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY

Context: Despite known adverse health effects, many women continue to smoke during pregnancy. Public attention has now focused on the econom ic as well as health effects of this behavior. Objective: To estimate health care costs associated with smoking-attributable cases of placen ta previa, abruptio placenta, ectopic pregnancy, preterm premature rup ture of the membrane (PPROM), preeclampsia, and spontaneous abortion. Design: Pooled odds ratios were used with data on total cases to estim ate smoking-attributable cases. Estimated average costs for cases of e ctopic pregnancy and spontaneous abortion were used to estimate smokin g-attributable health care costs for these conditions. Incremental cos ts, or costs above those for a ''normal'' delivery, were used to estim ate smoking-attributable costs of placenta previa, abruptio placenta, PPROM, and preeclampsia associated with delivery. Setting: National es timates for 1993. Participants: Data from the National Hospital Discha rge Survey (NHDS) and claims data from a sample of large, self-insured employers across the country. Results: Smoking-attributable costs ran ged from $1.3 million for PPROM to $86 million for ectopic pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy apparently protects against pre-eclampsia and saves between $36 and $49 million, depending on smoking prevalence. O ver all conditions smoking-attributable costs ranged from $135 to $167 million. Conclusions: Smoking during pregnancy is a preventable cause of higher health care costs for the conditions studied. While smoking during pregnancy was found to be protective against pre-eclampsia and , hence, saves costs, the net costs were still positive and significan t. Effective smoking-cessation programs can reduce health care costs b ut clinicians will perhaps need to manage increased cases of pre-eclam psia in a cost-effective manner.