Analysis of the smoking statuses of the mothers during pregnancy whose children are in oncology unit

Purpose: The study was carried out to examine the connection between the status of smoking during pregnancy and childhood cancers. Method: This study was conducted with 51 children who were diagnosed with cancer and under treatment in the oncology unit, and 154 children who had no history of cancer, and were in pediatric clinic of a training and research hospital in Izmir, between June 2017 and December 2017. The data was obtained by researchers via the technique of face to face meeting, using the introductory information form. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and t-test in independent groups were used for evaluating the data. The significance level of p<0, 05 was used as basis in all analysis. Findings: The average age of the mothers of control group was 30, 86±7, 81, and of the mothers of the treatment group was 34, 08±9, 04. The average age of the mothers in treatment group, their rates of being exposed to smoking in the 1. Trimester, and rates of smoking were found to be high and statistically significant (p<0, 05). The conditions of mothers in the control group pertaining to existing diseases during pregnancy or in the case of developed complications during delivery, and their rates of quitting after learning that they are pregnant, were found to be high and statistically significant (p<0, 05). There was no difference between the Case-Control groups regarding smoking conditions of women, their daily cigarette consumption amounts, delivery methods, starting age of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked, parity and number of pregnancy (p>0,05). Results: Smoking during pregnancy is an important variant that affects childhood cancers. Moreover, advanced age and the 1.trimester smoking exposure also affect childhood cancers significantly. Healthcare personnel should plan and conduct awareness raising studies to prevent exposure to smoking starting from the beginning of the pregnancy follow ups.