Effects of smoking during pregnancy on the optic nerve neurodevelopment

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoking during pregnancy alters neurodevelopment. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides precise measurements of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), which forms part of the central nervous system.

Aims: To assess using the OCT how smoking during pregnancy would affect optic nerve development as detected in human offspring.

Study design: Visual examination and OCT were performed on a group of children (n=70; 4.15-13.50 years of age), classified as being exposed or not to maternal smoking during gestational period. The association between smoking during pregnancy and RNFL thickness was assessed by a linear regression analysis adjusted for possible confounding factors.

Results: Although visual outcomes did not differ between groups, a significant decrease in the RNFL thickness was found in the group of infants exposed to smoke (105.3 vs 95.6; p=0.002), even when adjusting for gestational age, birth weight or gender.

Conclusions: OCT measurements show that intrautero exposure to tobacco smoke interferes with the development of the optic nerve.