First-ever review finds smoking causes serious birth defects; March of Dimes urges women to quit smoking to save babies

The first-ever comprehensive review of 50 years of studies has established that maternal smoking causes serious birth defects including heart defects, missing/deformed limbs, clubfoot, gastrointestinal disorders, and facial disorders, such as cleft lip/palate. Smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for premature birth and the March of Dimes urges pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy to quit smoking to reduce their chance of having a baby born prematurely or with a serious birth defect.

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