According to a study published online on December 13th in JAMA Network Open, the prevalence of e-cigarette use in late pregnancy among adolescents in the United States has increased from 0.8% in 2016 to 4.1% in 2021.
Researchers primarily analyzed data from the 2016-2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. They specifically focused on 10,428 teenagers aged 10-19 who had previously given birth to a singleton and provided information on their use of e-cigarettes or conventional cigarettes.
Although researchers found that the prevalence of exclusive e-cigarette use has increased by approximately five-fold, the percentage of pregnant women who only use conventional cigarettes has decreased from 9.2% in 2017 to 3.2% in 2021. The proportion of pregnant women who use both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes fluctuated between 0.6% and 1.6%.
There was no significant difference in the proportion of low birth weight among non-smoking or non-e-cigarette using adolescents (12.9%), e-cigarette only users (16.8%), or adolescents who used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes (17.6%). However, researchers found a significant association between smoking only and the proportion of low birth weight (24.6%).
In this study, Dr. Xiaozhong Wen, corresponding author from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York, Buffalo, stated:
In our analysis, using only e-cigarettes and using both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes simultaneously appears to have no significant statistical association with lower birth weight. However, considering the lower prevalence of usage and limited sample size, this finding should be interpreted with caution.
The limitations of this study lie in the possibility that participants may underreport their use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes out of concern for social stigma. Additionally, researchers lack information on the use of e-cigarettes during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, exposure to secondhand smoke, marijuana use, and dietary habits.
This study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Center for Tobacco Products of the Food and Drug Administration, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, as well as the American Heart Association. One of the co-authors of the study has received grants from Pfizer Inc. and personal fees from Johnson & Johnson, the World Health Organization, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.
