Smoking when pregnant causes finger abnormalities

In the largest study of its kind, the researchers found smoking during pregnancy significantly elevates the risk of having a child with excess, webbed or missing fingers and toes. In fact, the study found that smoking just half a packet per day increases the risk of having a child born with a toe or finger defect by 29%.

Researchers examined the records of more than 6.8 million live births in the US during 2001 and 2002, finding 5,171 children born with a digital anomaly where the mother smoked during pregnancy but did not suffer from other medical complications, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.

The study authors discovered pregnant women who smoked one to 10 cigarettes per day increased the risk of having a child with a toe or finger deformity by 29%. The more a woman smoked, the higher the risk became. Women who smoked 11 to 20 cigarettes a day raised the risk 38%, and women who smoked 21 or more cigarettes per day raised the risk 78%.

“Reconstructive surgery to repair limb, toe and finger abnormalities in children represents a large portion of my practice – it is the most common issue I treat,” said Dr Benjamin Chang, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) member and study author. “This study shows that even minimal smoking during pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of having a child with various toe and finger defects.”