"Vitamin C may reduce the harm done to lungs in infants born to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy according to a randomized controlled trial published online in the American Thoracic Societys American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine https In Oral Vitamin C  mgday to Pregnant Smokers Improves Infant Airway Function at  Months A Randomized Trial http Cindy T. McEvoy MD MCR and her coauthors report that at three months of age the infants whose mothers took  mg of vitamin C in addition to their prenatal vitamin had significantly better forced expiratory flows FEFs. FEFs measure how fast air can be exhaled from the lung and are an important measure of lung function because they can detect airway obstruction. The researchers also discovered an association between the infant FEFs and a genetic variant some of the mothers possessed that appeared to amplify the negative impact of nicotine on the babies before they were born. Other studies have linked this genetic factor specifically for the a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to increased risk of lung cancer and obstructive lung disease. Smoking during pregnancy reflects the highly addictive nature of nicotine that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations said Dr. McEvoy lead study author and professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health  Science University. Finding a way to help infants exposed to smoking and nicotine in utero recognizes the unique dangers posed by a highly advertised addictive product and the lifetime effects on offspring who did not choose to be exposed. In a previous study the authors had shown that  hours after birth babies of mothers who smoked had better lung function if their mothers were randomized to vitamin C  mgday during their pregnancies compared to those born to mothers who smoked and were randomized to placebo.  That study used passive methods to measure lung function and the authors note that FEFs provide a more direct assessment of airway function and are similar to methods used to diagnose lung disease in adults and older children. In the current study  pregnant women who smoked were randomly assigned at  to  weeks of gestation to either receive vitamin C  women or a placebo  women.  Smoking was defined as having had one or more cigarettes in the last week. All participants received smoking cessation counseling throughout the study and about  percent of the women quit smoking during the study. The researchers wrote that study results support the hypothesis that oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoking reduces the amount of ascorbic acid a component of vitamin C available to the body. At the time they enrolled in the study the women had lower levels of ascorbic acid than have been reported among women who do not smoke. Those levels rose in study participants who received vitamin C to become comparable to women who do not smoke. Infants in this study will continue to be followed to track their lung function and respiratory outcomes. The authors believe that future trials of vitamin C supplementation in pregnant smokers should determine whether the benefits are greater if the supplementation starts earlier and continues postnatally in the babies themselves.   Summing up the findings of the current study Dr. McEvoy said that a relatively low dosage of vitamin C may present a safe and inexpensive intervention that has the potential to help lung health of millions of infants worldwide. However she added helping mothers quit smoking should remain the primary goal for health professionals and public health officials. Although vitamin C supplementation may protect to some extent the lungs of babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy those children will still be at greater risk for obesity behavioral disorders and other serious health issues she said. This study was funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the Office of Dietary Supplements. Contact for Media Tracy Brawly OHSU Media Relations brawleyohsu.edu Share via Twitter For mothers who smoke during pregnancy vitamin C may reduce harm smoking causes to their babies lungs finds new study of vitaminC supplementation. Nosmokingduringpregnancy.  Follow Us ATS  atscommunity AJRCCM  ATSBlueEditor About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine The AJRCCM https is a peerreviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society. The Journal takes pride in publishing the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews practice guidelines and statements in pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine. With an impact factor of . it is one of the highest ranked journals in pulmonology. Editor Jadwiga Wedzicha MD professor of respiratory medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute Royal Brompton Campus Imperial College London UK. About the American Thoracic Society Founded in  the American Thoracic Society is the worlds leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine. The Societys more than  members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research education patient care and advocacy. The ATS publishes three journals the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine http the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology http and the Annals of the American Thoracic Society http The ATS will hold its  International Conference httpconference.thoracic.org May  in Dallas Texas where worldrenowned experts will share the latest scientific research and clinical advances in pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine."