We have known for a long time that women that smoke have babies who weigh less at birth. Researchers have further identified why with the research that found smokers were more likely to develop endothelial dysfunction. This in turn can cause dilation of blood vessels, inflammation of the vascular wall, and blood clots. "Our work provides evidence that smoking has a direct and long-term deleterious effect on vascular function in pregnancy and thus provides evidence to why babies of smokers are growth restricted." said researcher Ann Quinton.
Published May 2008 issue of BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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