Parental smoking and cessation during pregnancy and the risk of childhood asthma

Background: To evaluate the association between maternal and paternal smoking during pregnancy, and asthma among offspring. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based birth retrospective observational birth cohort study in a University-based Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. 39 306 women, delivering between 1989 and 2006, were linked to the national register for asthma reimbursement for their offspring (2641 asthmatics). Pregnancy factors were recorded during pregnancy. Results: The risk of asthma was significantly elevated if both parents smoked (aOR 3.7; 95 % Cl 3.2-4.4) and it remained high in only paternal smoking families (aOR 2.9; 95 % Cl 2.5-3.3) as well as only maternal smoking families (aOR 1.7; 95 % Cl 1.2-2.2). Paternal cessation of smoking during pregnancy seemed to reduce the risk of asthma regardless of maternal smoking (aOR 0.3-0.4). Conclusions: Parental smoking, and especially paternal smoking, was significantly associated with the risk of asthma in offspring and paternal cessation of smoking during pregnancy was associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma regardless of maternal smoking. The results indicate that both parents should be encouraged to quit smoking during pregnancy, since it is a relatively easy and cheap way to reduce the risk of asthma in offspring.Peer reviewe

Maternal Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Lengthening of the Umbilical Cord : Indirect Evidence of Increased Foetal Activity-A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Antenatal depression affects up to 19% of pregnant women. Some of these women are also in need of antidepressant treatment. Nevertheless, the impact of maternal antidepressant treatment and prenatal depression on the course of pregnancy, foetal development and delivery outcomes is not fully understood. Methods We analysed data from 24 818 women who gave birth at Kuopio University Hospital between 2002-2012. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate associations between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy and the progression of pregnancy, development of the foetus and delivery outcomes. Results Altogether, 369 (1.5%) women used SSRIs. A regression model adjusted for age, overweight, nulliparity, prior termination, miscarriages, smoking, maternal alcohol consumption, chronic illness and polyhydramnion showed that pregnant women exposed to SSRI medication had significantly lower Apgar scores at 1 minute (p <0.0001) and 5 minutes (p <0.0001) and more admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit (p <0.0001) than unexposed pregnant women. In addition, exposed newborns had longer umbilical cords (p <0.0001) than non-exposed newborns. Conclusion In addition to the previously known associates with maternal SSRI exposure, such as lowered Apgar scores, SSRI exposure appeared to be associated with increased umbilical cord length. The observation related to increased umbilical cord length may be explained by an SSRI-induced increase in the movements of the developing foetus.Peer reviewe

Maternal socioeconomic status and the risk of asthma among offspring

Peer reviewe

A Batteryless Semi-Passive RFID Sensor Platform

Semi-passive RFID sensor possesses longer interrogation distance and advanced functionalities compared with the fully passive ones. Utilizing the wireless energy harvesting, we present a semi-passive RFID sensor platform without the reliance on the external battery. We outline the sensor system development and conduct the wireless measurement of the prototype to demonstrate its performance and functionality.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Multivariate analyses regarding delivery characteristics.

<p>Multivariate analyses regarding delivery characteristics.</p

The mean umbilical cord length (± SD) in women with and without SSRI medication during pregnancy at different gestational ages.

<p>The mean umbilical cord length (± SD) in women with and without SSRI medication during pregnancy at different gestational ages.</p

Multivariate analyses regarding delivery outcomes (centile).

<p>Multivariate analyses regarding delivery outcomes (centile).</p