The use of electronic cigarettes and nicotine patches during pregnancy is related to the increase in sudden infant death

Moms who use electronic cigarettes or nicotine patches to avoid smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk of their newborns becoming victims of sudden death, says

. The researchers discovered that nicotine in the uterus can affect the unborn child's central nervous system and cardiorespiratory responses to stressful environments.

This could make infants vulnerable to asphyxiation, especially those who do not have the chemical brain neurotransmitter serotonin.

Stella Lee, One of the Researchers at the Geisel School of Medicine in the United States said: "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a tragedy So painful for families, but we still do not fully understand the causes, but this research is important because the results, published in the Journal of Physiology, have shown that nicotine exposure can trigger the disease. failure of autoresuscitation – a key safety mechanism that protects an infant from oxygen deprivation.

they can not recover from environmental stresses that cause a temporary loss of oxygen, such as entangling in litter or respiratory obstruction

The research consisted in exposing the nicotine – born rats by blood or breast milk, and then testing their response to oxygen.

More than 10% of pregnant women smoke during pregnancy According to scientists, the risks to unborn babies are significant

. In recent years, nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and e-cigarettes have been prescribed to women who wish to stop smoking during pregnancy.

Since many women are exposed to nicotine during pregnancy, it is urgent to understand the impact this can have on the uterus, the researchers add.

The lead author, Dr. Aihua Li, also of the Geisel School of Medicine, said, "We will continue to identify possible predictors of risk and examine how we can treat infants who have a compromised self-resuscitation mechanism. "

In the United Kingdom, nearly 300 babies suddenly and unexpectedly die for no apparent reason.

Most deaths occur during the first six months of life and low birth weight and premature infants are most at risk

. in boys than in girls. The death of a baby usually occurs, but does not always strike when a baby sleeps.