Purpose Smoking during pregnancy contributes to the risk of negative health outcomes in mothers and babies. The purposes of this study were to review the harmful effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on fetal and child development, to discuss if maternal smoking should be criminalized as a form of child abuse, and to explore advocating for fetal rights.
Methods A variety of published literature and legal documents including the Korean constitution, criminal laws, and children’s welfare laws were reviewed and critically analyzed.
Results Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to experience abortion related to placental dysfunction. Their unborn risk premature birth, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, neurobehavioral disturbances, and/or other complications and newborn babies are also at risk for complications. The advocates for fetal rights can assert that maternal smoking should be regarded as a crime.
Conclusion Findings show that maternal smoking during pregnancy is a major risk factor for many adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effective strategies and health policies for smoking cessation during pregnancy are required to protect pregnant women and their babies.
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Risk Factors for Preterm Birth in Advanced Maternal Age 권은진, 조안젤라, 국내 조산 레지스트리 그룹, 박미혜, 김영주, 이경주, 박선화 JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF MATERNAL AND CHIL.2018; 22(2): 106. CrossRef
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