4D ultrasound study shows harmful effects of smoking on unborn babies
Pilot studied examined the tiny movements made by foetuses as they develop
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A new study appears to shed more light on the harmful effects of smoking while pregnant using 4D ultrasound scans to detect the tiny movements made by foetus in the womb.
By monitoring the growing babies, scientists believe that they can flag potential problems by examining the minute movements foetuses make in the womb.
It is hoped that the research can be used to encourage more mothers to give up the habit while pregnant.
Dr Nadja Reissland studied the moving 4D ultrasound scans of 20 expectant mothers, four of whom were smokers, recording thousands of tiny movements as the foetuses developed at 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks.
Her study, conducted at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, found that the unborn babies of the four smoking mothers touched their faces more frequently.
Foetuses usually move their mouths and touch themselves as they develop and gain control over their limbs.
Dr Reissland’s results – which she hopes to replicate across a far larger sample size – indicates that mothers who smoke may delay the development of their babies’ central nervous systems.
“A larger study is needed to confirm these results and to investigate specific effects, including the interaction of maternal stress and smoking,” Dr Reissland said.
Although the number of women smoking during pregnancy has fallen to an all-time low, according to figures gathered last year, 12 per cent of expectant mothers continue smoking.
Research has found that pregnant mothers who smoke risk damaging their unborn children’s hearts and can also increase the risk of miscarriage and premature births.
The pilot study, conducted by Durham and Lancaster Universities, was published in the medical journal Acta Paediatrica.
Dr Reissland, who specialises in foetal development, called for women to be offered more help in giving up, rather than demonising those mothers who smoke.
"I'm really grateful, they did a good thing," she said. "These are special people and they overcame the stigma to help others."
All of the babies studied were born healthy and of normal weight and size.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments