Electronic Cigarette Use during Pregnancy: Is It harmful?

Introduction:
This article discusses the existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the risks of vaping during pregnancy. The authors highlight the need for studies that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects, particularly biomarker analyses, and advocate for research that objectively evaluates the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.

Key Points:

* Vaping during pregnancy is on the rise, possibly due to the perception that it is a safer alternative to combustible cigarette smoking.
* E-cigarette aerosols may contain several newer, potentially toxic compounds, including some known developmental toxicants that may adversely impact both the mother and the fetus.
* Despite the increasing popularity of vaping during pregnancy, there is a paucity of studies that have examined the effects of vaping during pregnancy.
* While the adverse perinatal outcomes of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are well established, the specific risks associated with inhaling vaping aerosols during pregnancy require more research.
* Studies are needed to reach more robust conclusions, specifically those that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects (i.e., biomarker analyses) and maternal and neonatal clinical health outcomes.
* There is a need to go beyond comparative studies with cigarettes and advocate for research that objectively evaluates the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.

Main Message:
The authors emphasize the need for more research on the risks of vaping during pregnancy. Specifically, they highlight the need for studies that objectively evaluate the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products, beyond comparative studies with cigarettes. By conducting studies that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects, particularly biomarker analyses, healthcare providers and policymakers can make informed decisions about the safety of e-cigarettes during pregnancy.

Vilcassim MJR, Stowe S, Majumder R, Subramaniam a, Sinkey RG. Electronic Cigarette Use during Pregnancy: Is It harmful? Toxics. 2023;11(3). doi:10.3390/toxics11030278