Smoking and smoking cessation in pregnancy. Synthesis of a systematic review

• Published in: Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction 2020-10, Vol.49 (8), p.101847-101847, Article 101847
• Main Authors: Grangé, G., Berlin, I., Bretelle, F., Bertholdt, C., Berveiller, P., Blanc, J., DiGuisto, C., Dochez, V., Garabedian, C., Guerby, P., Koch, A., Le Lous, M., Perdriolle-Galet, E., Peyronnet, V., Rault, E., Torchin, H., Legendre, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gynecology and obstetrics; Human health and pathology; Life Sciences; Pre-and post-natal effects; Smoking cessation during pregnancy; Smoking during pregnancy
• ISSN: 2468-7847; 2468-8495; 2468-7847
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101847

•“Counselling”, i.e. all types of non-pharmacological interventions, has a moderate benefit on smoking cessation, birth weight and prematurity.•Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) may be prescribed if failure to stop smoking after trying non-pharmacological therapies.•In cases of temporary relapse or resumption of smoking, it should be recommended to continue with NRT.•It is not recommended to let the smoking status interfere with the choice of how to feed the new-born infant. To provide up-to-date evidence-based guidelines for the management of smoking cessation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. A systematic review of the international literature was undertaken between January 2003 and April 2019. MEDLINE, EMBASE databases and the Cochrane library were searched for a range of predefined key words. All relevant reports in English and French were classified according to their level of evidence ranging from 1(highest) to 4(lowest). The strength of each recommendation was classified according to the Haute Autorité de Santé (French National Authority for Health) ranging from A (highest) to C (lowest). “Counselling”, including all types of non-pharmacological interventions, has a moderate benefit on smoking cessation, birth weight and prematurity. The systematic use of measuring expired air CO concentration does not influence smoking abstinence, however, it may be useful in assessing smoked tobacco exposure prior to and after quitting. The use of self-help therapies and health education are recommended in helping pregnant smokers quit and should be advised by healthcare professionals. Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) may be prescribed to pregnant women who have failed to stop smoking after trying non-pharmacological interventions. Different modes of delivery and dosages can be used in optimizing their efficacy. Smoking in the postpartum period is essential to consider. The same treatment options as during pregnancy can be used. Smoking during pregnancy concerns more than a hundred thousand women each year in France resulting in a major public health burden. Healthcare professionals should be mobilised to employ a range of methods to reduce or even eradicate it.