A recent study indicates that vaping during pregnancy, even in the absence of nicotine, could lead to structural developmental changes in a baby’s skull while in the womb. The research, conducted by scientists at Ohio State University College of Medicine, investigated the effects of two commonly used ingredients in e-cigarette liquids—propylene glycol and glycerol—on prenatal development. The findings suggest that exposure to these substances, independent of nicotine, has the potential to impact fetal bone growth.
“Our findings were surprising,” stated Dr. James Cray, lead researcher and professor at Ohio State University. “The e-cigarettes used in our study did not contain nicotine, yet we observed notable effects on skull development in the models.”
The study, conducted on pregnant mice, involved controlled exposure to varying concentrations of propylene glycol and glycerol, which are liquid components typically found in vaping products. Pregnant mice were divided into three groups: one exposed to filtered air, and two others subjected to vapor containing either a 50:50 or 30:70 ratio of propylene glycol to glycerol.
Over a 20-day gestation period, the mice in the test groups were exposed to one puff of vapor per minute, for four hours a day, five days a week. The researchers observed that the offspring exposed to the 30:70 concentration mixture exhibited significantly smaller skull measurements compared to the other two groups, indicating potential craniofacial developmental disruptions.
“This raises concerns about the safety of vaping during pregnancy, even when nicotine is not present,” Dr. Cray emphasized. “There is a general perception that nicotine-free vaping is harmless, but our data suggest otherwise.”
While this study was conducted on animals and further research is necessary to confirm similar effects in humans, its findings are expected to ignite renewed debate over the regulation and public perception of vaping products, particularly among expectant mothers.
E-cigarette use has seen global growth in recent years, with many users viewing it as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking. However, health experts have consistently warned about the limited research available on the long-term effects of vaping, especially in vulnerable populations like pregnant women. Public health authorities have urged caution, noting that even seemingly benign substances can have unintended consequences on fetal development.
Dr. Cray advised, “Pregnancy is a delicate period, and any exposure to foreign substances—nicotine or otherwise—should be approached with extreme caution.”
