Secondhand Smoke Causing Thousands of Still Births in Developing Countries

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Exposure to secondhand smoke is causing thousands of still births in developing countries, according to new research carried out by the University of York.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is causing thousands of still births in developing countries, according to new research carried out by the University of York.

The study reveals that more than 40% of all pregnant women in Pakistan are exposed to secondhand smoke – causing approximately 17,000 still births in a year.

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Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, low birth-weight and respiratory illnesses. However, little is known about the extent of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy.

The team looked at the number of pregnancies alongside smoking exposure data in 30 developing countries from 2008 to 2013.

Read more at University of York

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