一項研究發現導致新生兒脊髓血流基因突變的證據，提示被動吸煙對正在發育胎兒的危害與孕婦自身吸煙一樣大。

在這項最新研究中，研究人員檢查了來自新生兒脊髓血流中位于X染色體的HPRT基因突變率。他們發現誘導突變的頻率以及導致的突變分子譜。特別是，新的檢查分析重新定義了作為對照的非吸煙者，考慮到了他們可能通過家庭成員、工作或者社交場合暴露于香煙的情況。

美國匹茲堡大學公共健康研究生院環境與職業健康副教授、該項研究的作者Stephen G. Grant博士指出：“這項分析顯示，不僅在妊娠期間吸煙能夠導致基因損害，這些損害能夠在出生的時候被檢測出來；而且被動吸煙或者暴露于“二手煙霧與主動吸煙一樣，可以導致同樣的損害。”

這項最新研究發表在2005年7月26日的《BMC兒科學》在線期刊上。早期評估煙草對胎兒危害的研究大多沒有考慮“二手煙霧”的影響。

Grant博士還說：“這些突變對暴露于煙草胎兒的影響可能是持續終生的，影響存活、出生體重、疾病易感性包括癌癥的發生。”

All Smoking Risky for Fetus
 
A study has found evidence of genetic mutation in cord blood from newborns that suggests second-hand smoke is just as detrimental to a developing fetus as maternal smoking.

In the new study, researchers looked at mutation rates at the HPRT gene located on the x chromosome in cord blood samples from newborns. They looked for frequency of induced mutation as well as the resulting molecular spectrum of mutations. In particular, the new analysis redefines the nonsmokers used as controls to consider their exposure to tobacco smoke through other family members at home, at work, or in social situations.

“This analysis shows not only that smoking during pregnancy causes genetic damage that can be detected at birth but also that passive--or secondary--smoke exposure causes just as much damage as active smoking and it is the same kind of damage,” noted study author Stephen G. Grant, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (PA, USA).

The new study was published in the July 26, 2005, issue of the online journal BMC Pediatrics. Earlier studies that considered the effects of tobacco on fetuses largely discounted the effects of secondary smoke.

“These kinds of mutations are likely to have lifelong repercussions for the exposed fetus, affecting survival, birth weight, and susceptibility to disease, including cancer,” added Dr. Grant.