Jump to full article: Medical News TODAY(UK), 2008-07-10
Intro: Giving your child a healthy start in life is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, the Chairman of the BMA in Scotland said. The call came as BMA Scotland published a briefing paper on the health impact of smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the unborn child. The paper also highlights how existing health inequalities lead to an increased risk for certain groups of Scotland's children.
One in every seven babies born each year in Scotland requires some form of special care. Two of the main reasons for requiring this care are premature birth and low birth weight. Smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy both increase the risk of these.
- 25% of women in Scotland smoke during pregnancy, affecting 12,500 babies . . .
Key recommendations in the paper include:
- For certain groups - in particular those with young children and those on low incomes - attendance at smoking cessation services may present barriers. Smoking cessation outreach programmes aimed at reaching such groups should be established. Pregnant women and their partners should be targeted
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