Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy, whether from cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or e-cigarettes, increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death). This is according to new research published in the Journal of Physiology.

Researchers showed that exposure to nicotine during pregnancy can affect a baby’s central nervous system, impair a baby’s cardiorespiratory responses to stressful environments and damage a key biological mechanism (autoresuscitation) that protects infants from a severe lack of oxygen. This increases the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome. Therefore NRT and e-cigarettes may not offer pregnant women
a safe alternative to cigarettes.

Stella Lee, an author of the study, commented: “Sudden infant death syndrome is such a distressing tragedy for families. We still don’t fully understand the causes, but this research is important because it helps mothers reduce the risk.”