Helping Pregnant Smokers to Quit

Researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston are recruiting pregnant smokers for a study that could help them kick their nicotine habit.

Participants must speak English, be at least 16 years old, and 15 to 26 weeks into their pregnancy. Researchers will require each woman to visit the University Clinical Research Center at Memorial Hermann Hospital three times before her baby is born.

On the first visit, mothers-to-be will fill out questionnaires about their health, pregnancy and smoking. A nurse or counselor will discuss information about smoking, and two-thirds of study participants will receive a free ultrasound.

"Once a woman sees her baby during the ultrasound and after she receives counseling, we hope she will rethink her decision to smoke during her pregnancy," said Dr. Mary Velasquez, associate professor of family practice and community medicine and co-investigator of the study.

Dr. Janet Groff, assistant professor of family practice and community medicine, said participants must answer questions and provide a saliva sample, which will be tested for a byproduct of tobacco, on all three visits.

"Smoking is the most preventable cause of low birth weight in the United States," Dr. Groff said. "We hope to reach pregnant smokers who can't quit on their own by using intensive counseling techniques that motivate them to quit."

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropic group devoted to health care, is funding the four-year study.

To participate in the research, located in the Texas Medical Center, call (713) 500-7593 or 1-866-935-4444. Visit the Web site at http://www.uthouston.edu.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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