| The relationships between maternal smoking and sudden infant death and maternal smoking and early childhood overweight were evaluated using the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey and the 1991 Longitudinal Follow-Up. Variables including amount of maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal education level, race, multiple gestation pregnancy and maternal and infant nutrition were examined in their relationship to death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and gender specific BMI-for-age percentile. It was predicted that the prevalence of infant death from SIDS and the prevalence of early childhood overweight would be significantly greater for children whose mothers were smokers during pregnancy compared to those born to mothers who were non-smokers. It was concluded that maternal smoking significantly increased the risk of sudden infant death, however, it did not significantly impact gender specific BMI-for-age percentile in children ages 1 month to 3 years. A recommendation for further study is enclosed. |
