[Smoking in pregnancy--long term effect].

OBJECTIVES

The data review on the cancer risk in children exposed to tobacco smoke in utero.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis was based on databases available in Medline, Cancerlit and Cochrane.

RESULTS

The reviewed data confirm that the risk of developing malignancy after the exposure to maternal smoking is low. Nevertheless, some publications point to a higher risk of having brain tumors or leukemias.

CONCLUSIONS

Together with facts that fetus is jeopardized with toxic metabolites of tobacco smoke which cause genotoxic effects or DNA adducts give additional arguments the necessity of introducing smoking cessation programs in perinatal care.