What complication may occur in newborns from maternal smoking during pregnancy?

Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of adverse outcomes for newborns, with an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) being one of the most significant. Research indicates that babies exposed to tobacco smoke in utero are at a greater risk of experiencing SIDS, which is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically during sleep.

The mechanisms behind this increased risk may involve the effects of nicotine and other harmful substances found in cigarettes, which can disrupt normal fetal development and increase vulnerability to sleep-related dangers after birth. This includes potential impairments in the infant's ability to regulate breathing and respond to low oxygen levels during sleep.

Other choices do not align with established evidence regarding the effects of maternal smoking. For instance, higher IQ levels and improved lung function are not outcomes associated with smoking during pregnancy; in fact, maternal smoking tends to have negative implications for both cognitive and respiratory health in newborns. Lastly, the assertion of a reduced need for oxygen contradicts the well-documented risks associated with decreased oxygen availability due to smoking. Thus, the recognition of the increased risk of SIDS stands out as a critical concern for infants born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy.