[Negative effects of maternal smoking during the course of pregnancy].

Maternal smoking during pregnancy has many consequences, manifesting prior to, during and after pregnancy, mainly: fertility difficulties; obstetrical accidents such as extrauterine pregnancy, premature labour and early placenta detachment; intrauterine growth retardation; increased perinatal morbidity; increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases in infancy and childhood; increased rate of sudden infant death; and alteration of cognitive development and behavioral disorder in childhood. Postnatal smoke exposure increases the respiratory complications in infancy and childhood. Considering the severity of these deleterious effects, the development of a large preventive policy appears necessary.