[Effect of smoking in pregnancy and individuation of strategies for promote astention].

Smoking during pregnancy, either active or passive, can have many negative effects on the fetus and the neonate, particularly low birth weight (less than 2500 gr), premature birth (before 32 weeks) and increased perinatal mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, smoking while breastfeeding reduces the volume of milk available owing to prolactin inhibition. In the light of this data, Italian health planning 2003-2005 determined the importance of increasing awareness in women in fertile age regarding the risks of smoking, reducing the percentage of women who continue to smoke while pregnant and hence the number of underweight or premature neonates.