Study: Second-hand smoke bad for fetus

PITTSBURGH, July 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. study finds that second-hand smoke can be just as bad for developing fetuses as a mother-to-be's smoking.

"This analysis shows not only that smoking during pregnancy causes genetic damage in the developing fetus that can be detected at birth, but also that passive -- or secondary -- exposure causes just as much damage as active smoking, and it is the same kind of damage," said Stephen Grant, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Grant re-analyzed data from earlier studies, including one in which he was involved. The authors of the earlier studies found little evidence that second-hand smoke or even maternal smoking was bad or found the evidence inconclusive.

Grant looked for the frequency of induced mutation and redefined non-smokers by examining pregnant women's exposure to second-hand smoke. He said that exposure to tobacco smoke causes mutations in the developing fetus that can have lifelong repercussions.