Smoking during pregnancy and post-neonatal death.

Data from a survey of all post-neonatal deaths for 12 months to 28 February 1979, together with population data, were used to assess maternal cigarette smoking as a risk factor for post-neonatal death and cot death. Smoking was estimated to be a risk factor, but only where the smokers (Maori and non-Maori) were under 25 years of age. The infants most at risk were those of Maori smokers aged 20-24. As a risk factor for post-neonatal death smoking during pregnancy ranked third, with Maori maternity second and low infant birthweight first. Results indicate that the relevance of maternal smoking to post-neonatal mortality may depend on the total psycho-social-cultural context in which it occurs. It is suggested that factors that initiate and maintain smoking behaviour in young women need to be identified and strategies developed to counteract them. Concurrently, non-smoking behaviour needs to be positively promoted as a more attractive option for young women to adopt.