Smoking, Alcohol in Pregnancy: Kanpur Study Reveals Direct Impact on Baby's Heart

• A Kanpur cardiology study highlights the severe risks of smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy for both mother and unborn child's heart and brain.
• Dr. Rakesh Verma, Director of Cardiology, states that pregnant women who smoke or drink face a significantly increased risk of congenital heart diseases in their children.
• Nicotine and alcohol's toxic substances block delicate blood vessels, reducing oxygen supply to the fetus, impacting heart structure and function.
• Children born to mothers who smoked or drank during pregnancy may suffer from congenital heart defects, low birth weight, premature delivery, and impaired brain development.
• These children also face a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other cardiac issues later in life.

Why It Matters: Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy severely damage the baby's heart and brain, leading to lifelong health issues.