Prenatal exposure to second hand smoke and adverse perinatal outcomes
- Department of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Correspondence to Kristin B Ashford
Department of Nursing, #417 CON Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40514, USA; khashf0{at}uky.edu
Implications for practice and research
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■ Consistent and valid prenatal screening methods are necessary to document accurate exposure rates to second hand smoke (SHS).
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■ Preconceptual parental education regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to SHS could contribute to a reduction in adverse perinatal outcomes.
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■ Future research should consider using biochemical markers to determine exposure.
Context
The science is clear that maternal tobacco use during pregnancy has adverse effects on acute and long-term perinatal outcomes. However, evidence regarding outcomes of prenatal SHS exposure is …








