Stressful life events and electronic cigarette use during pregnancy.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study examining the relationship between stressful life events (SLEs) and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use during pregnancy. The study uses data from the Pregnancy Risk assessment Monitoring System (PRaMS) to investigate the association between SLEs and e-cigarette use during the third trimester of pregnancy. The study also considers the use of traditional cigarettes during pregnancy and controls for various demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Key Points:
- The study found that women who experienced SLEs were more likely to use e-cigarettes during the last three months of pregnancy.
- This association worked in a gradient-like fashion, such that women who experienced greater amounts of SLEs were more likely to use e-cigarettes.
- The association between SLEs and e-cigarette use held even after accounting for a mother's use of cigarettes during pregnancy.
- Women who experienced greater levels of SLEs (particularly 6 or more SLEs) incurred an elevated risk of being in any of the nicotine use groupings, relative to being a non-smoker.
- The study found that White women were especially likely to be users of e-cigarettes, and lower levels of educational attainment and lower household income were also linked with higher e-cigarette use.
- The study did not find a causal association between SLEs and e-cigarette use during pregnancy due to its cross-sectional nature.
- The study highlights the need for interventions that reduce both stressful experiences and smoking during pregnancy to mitigate the potentially harmful ramifications of e-cigarette use for infant well-being.

Main Message:
The study underscores the importance of considering the impact of stressful life events on e-cigarette use during pregnancy. The findings suggest that pregnant women who experience SLEs may be at an increased risk of using e-cigarettes and other nicotine products, which could have harmful effects on their infants. Therefore, healthcare providers should consider screening for SLEs and providing interventions to reduce stress and smoking during pregnancy. additionally, regulatory measures should consider the potential risks associated with e-cigarette use during pregnancy and work to reduce exposure to these products.

Testa a, Jackson DB, Boccio C. Stressful life events and electronic cigarette use during pregnancy. Social science & medicine (1982). 2021;276:113845. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113845