When a parent uses electronic nicotine delivery systems (vaping) during pregnancy, the impact on the developing baby is a major concern. A review of 22 studies looked at how these products affect newborns compared to those exposed to traditional cigarettes or no nicotine at all. The findings show that babies exposed to vaping products had significantly higher odds of being born prematurely compared to those not exposed to any nicotine.
The research also found that babies exposed to vaping had lower birth weights than those who were not exposed. While the study did not find a significant difference in birth weight between those exposed to cigarettes and those exposed to vapes, the data suggests that vaping carries risks similar to traditional smoking. These risks are particularly concerning for the health of the infant during the critical early stages of life.
It is important to note that the evidence for some of these findings is not yet perfectly clear. Because some studies had limited ways to track exclusive vaping use, the confidence in some results is low to moderate. However, the findings highlight a clear need for better support and intervention for parents looking to quit vaping during pregnancy.
