Scientists from Bristol University found out that 9 out of 10 cases of mothers who smoke – the main reason for the sudden death of the child. Professor Peter Fleming of the Institute of Child Health at Bristol University noted that smoking causes sudden infant death, the so-called “death in the cradle”.
However, in connection with the recent introduction of restrictions on smoking in public places in the UK experts are concerned that people would often take up a cigarette at home. It was therefore decided to conduct a more thorough study of the effect of smoking on unborn child, as well as infants in the first years of their lives. According to statistics, the number of smoking women during pregnancy, in the last 15 years has fallen by half. Nevertheless, cases of “death in the cradle” are frequent in smoking women. It is due to the effect of the campaign of 1991, when the experts called upon all mothers to put babies on their back during sleep. After that the number of infants found lifeless in their beds lying on the stomach was reduced. This suggests that now a major factor is smoking, reports the Daily telegraph. Scientists believe that even for women who do not quit smoking during pregnancy there are ways to prevent the death of a child. Experts recommend that to refrain from smoking in the presence of children. Because the more a child is in the smoke-filled room, the higher the chance to die. “The correlation is clear, – said Fleming. – Risk of death is increased with each new hour of passive smoking. For example, if you smoke near the child for eight hours a day, the chance of “Death in the cradle” is immediately increased by 8 times. That is, parents need to understand the main thing: even if you can not quit, do not smoke at the presence of a child!”