Nicotine in Baby

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2005

I don't think that it is well documented about neonatal nicotine withdrawl. In our unit, we don't address it. I know that some of the kids of moms who are very heavy smokers are a bit more excitable, but in general we don't score them. Maybe to a search for blood nicotine levels and see if that turns anything up.

NoCrumping · Feb 4, 2005

I know that baby will go through nicotine withdraw if mom is a smoker. I need info on blood nicotine levels, what they are and how long nicotine stays in the blood stream. Big thanks to any one that can help!!!! I'm doing an in-service on this subject.

In my previous hosp, that was an actual diagnosis "nicotine abuse".We saw jitteriness, sometimes so severe it looked like something more, like cocaine, etc. There was a study that showed high nicotine levels displayed (beside low birth weight )"hard skin, and stiff joints" in these infants, hard skin meaning, like the infants cheeks would be hard, puffy. Not easy to notice on a preemie, though. Im sorry I cant remember exactly, but it remains in the blood stream for several weeks, but depending on how many packs per day mom smoked, effects lasted a life time as far as learning disabilities, links to adhd and so on. As far as levels, I cant remember then ever being measured, just going on symptoms and moms report of how much smoked. Try march of dimes maybe? they have great info on birth defects and the like.