Smoking during pregnancy triples child meningitis risk

Smoking during pregnancy triples child meningitis risk 

Pregnant women who smoke can triple the risk of their child succumbing to a major strain of meningitis, says a study. Scientists carried out a systematic review of 18 studies and pooled their results to investigate the association. Their study found that exposure to secondhand smoke, both outside and in the womb, significantly increases the risk of meningococcal disease. Passive smoking at home doubled the risk in children. For children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, the risk was three times higher than for those born into non-smoking households.
    Study leader Dr Rachael Murray said, “These findings highlight the harms of smoking around children and during pregnancy. Avoid smoking at home or around children.”
    Meningococcal bacteria are responsible for the most dangerous form of meningitis. They can also invade the blood, lungs or joints. One in 20 of those struck by invasive meningococcal disease will die despite medical attention while one in six will be left severely disabled. ANI