Mother's Smoking Can Alter Fetus's DNA

A new study indicates that smoking while pregnant changes the fetus's DNA with many other complications for the unborn child. These complications include, low birth weight, risks of asthma, and cleft lips or palates. Despite of health precautions, in the United States, about 12 percent of pregnant women smoke while they are pregnant. The American Journal of Human Genetics examine the effects on fetal's DNA and looked at 7,000 newborns and their mothers around the globe. The researchers collected blood sample from the newborn and gathered information about the mother's smoking habits. Researchers observed epigenetic changes, which alters the DNA sequence by either switching "on or "off" in a specifc gene. One specific gene they examine was methylation, it is a small molecule part of the DNA that prevents a specific DNA sequence from turning on. Researchers discovered, newborn DNA was different from the DNA of newborns who were born to non-smokers. Dr. Stephanie London, an epidemiologist states that even if the fetus is developing, many of the chemicals while smoking can pass through the placenta. However, some health complications remains unclear for maternal smoking and further studies are needed to be confirmed.

I personally think this research is not a surprise for me because smoking or consuming any sort of drug will have health complications to the developing child. It is essential for individuals to take precautions of their habits during pregnancy. Prenatal smoking is a major issue that should be taken seriously and help those women who are suffering from it. This research ensures that substance use or smoking can be life-threatening to the fetus. 

The Real Effect of Smoking During Pregnancy

A study of over 6,000 mothers and their children was recently conducted, and it was one of the largest of its kind. The purpose of the study was to prove that smoking while pregnant can chemically modify the DNA of a fetus. The researchers divided the mothers into three categories, sustained smokers who smoked daily throughout pregnancy(13%), non-smokers women who never smoked(62%), and any smoking which were women who smoked occasionally or during the beginning of pregnancy(25%). Researchers analyzed methylation in newborns DNA, DNA methtylation is an epigenetic mechanism used by cells to control gene expression. 

          

              The results showed that in sustained smokers 6,073 places of DNA were identified as chemically modified when compared to the DNA of the non-smokers; about half of these genes could be identified in a specific location. The genes that were identified were related to lung and nervous system development, smoking related cancers, birth defects, and cleft palates. The researchers believe that these birth defects are related the DNA methylation of these genes and are working on further studies to confirm. 

'Major Advance' a New Test for Down Syndrome

     A DNA-based blood test has been shown to be more effective in detecting Down syndrome in unborn children, in comparison to other screening methods.  The test called 'Major Advance' was shown to have perfect accuracy in all 38 women whose children inherited the disorder.  Standard screening methods only detected Down syndrome in 30 out of 38 mothers.  The blood test looks for patterns of various substances in the mothers blood that are associated with the chromosomal problems linked to Down syndrome.  Ultrasound examinations should still be conducted to see any indications of birth defects.
     The new clinical trial followed more than 15,000 women with an average age of 31.  It has been found that older women are at a higher risk for birth defects.  The DNA test also had a much lower rate of false-positive results.  Even though there are many positives to this new method, there are some drawbacks. It does not work properly for pregnant women who do not have enough fetal DNA floating in their bloodstream.  Obese women specifically fall into this category of little free floating fetal DNA.  The test can also overlook any other birth defects which traditional screening techniques would normally pick up.
     I feel that this new method could really be the new favorable way of detecting birth defects.  Most mothers do not want a needle in their uterus.  The blood test might be easier and more practical for detecting problems.


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