Nursing actions towards the clinical implications of smoking in women's health

Abstract

Study about nursing actions towards women in view of clinical implications of smoking in pregnancy (1986 - 2007). Exploratory research, based on documentary analysis. Sources: Publications of the Ministry of Health, scientific articles indexed in Capes Portal of Journals and Virtual Health Library, and Federal Smoking Laws in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To identify the propositions of the Ministry of Health about women's smoking habit; to examine the clinical implications of smoking in pregnancy based on scientific productions; to discuss the clinical implications of smoking in pregnancy to support nursing actions towards pregnant women and/or female smokers. RESULTS: The main clinical implications of smoking in pregnancy were low birth weight, alterations in the placenta, slower intrauterine growth, prematurity and perinatal mortality.