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The Journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology"Journal HistoryAims and ScopePolicies on Conflict of Interest, Human and Animal Rights, and Informed ConsentEditorial ProcessData sharing statementAdvertising PolicyThe Process for Handling Cases Requiring Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Expressions of ConcernEditorial BoardEditorial CounsilInformation for ProfessionalsNewsContacts
ArchiveEthical StandardsSubscription
For authors
InstructionsInformed consent policyContract offerEASE GuidelinesICJME CriteriaWAME Recommendations on ChatGPT and Chatbots in Relation to Scholarly Publications
Reviewing
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Obstetrics and Gynegology2026№3

Risks of exposure from electronic nicotine delivery systems during pregnancy

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.267

Vasilyev V.V., Gusev E.A., Vasilyev E.V., Ishkova M.V.

Penza State University, Penza, Russia

The analytical review disapproves the prevailing opinion among the population about the lower harmfulness of using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) including e-cigarettes and vapes compared to smoking traditional tobacco products. This situation, particularly among pregnant women who switch from traditional cigarette smoking to ENDS during pregnancy, is of concern to the medical community. The effect of ENDS on the body of pregnant women and their fetuses is a new and under-researched social issue in modern society. A potential risk of exposure to highly toxic substances, such as nicotine, N-nitrosamines, aldehydes, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, is their penetration into the mother’s bloodstream and subsequent unpredictable effects on the developing fetus. To date, the use of electronic devices has been shown to contribute to the development of diseases affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as to the risk of cancer. The pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully understood, but the processes of inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes in the vascular endothelial cells have already been observed. Therefore, the new smoking trend poses risks of unpredictable health outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.
Conclusion: Although the potential risks of ENDS on fetal health and maternal well-being have not been fully explored, there is a growing concern about the impact of these devices on overall health. Thus, there is a great need for regional monitoring of pregnancy and outcomes, tailored to specific factors, as well as the development and implementation of a socially and informationally significant program to combat the use of ENDS/traditional tobacco products by expectant mothers.

Authors’ contributions: Vasilyev V.V. – developing the concept and design of the study, editing the text; Gusev E.A., Vasilyev E.V., Ishkova M.V. – searching and processing literature sources, writing the text.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Vasilyev V.V., Gusev E.A., Vasilyev E.V., Ishkova M.V. 
Risks of exposure from electronic nicotine delivery systems during pregnancy. 
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (3): 14-20 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.267

Keywords

electronic cigarettes
vapes
smoking
pregnancy
infant
fetus
Full text (in Russian)

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Received 29.09.2025

Accepted 03.02.2026

About the Authors

Valeriy V. Vasilyev, Professor at the Department of Hygiene, Public Health and Healthcare, Associate Professor, Penza State University,
440026, Russia, Penza, Krasnaya str., 40, +7(909)316-01-97, vvv1755@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7045-2489
Evgeniy A. Gusev, medical student, Penza State University, 440026, Russia, Penza, Krasnaya str., 40, +7(963)098-88-50, gusev.cz@yandex.ru,
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0432-8568
Evgeniy V. Vasilyev, Teaching Assistant at the Department of Hygiene, Public Health and Healthcare, Penza State University, 440026, Russia, Penza, Krasnaya str., 40, +7(987)078-96-04, vostok.2023@bk.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2699-8692
Marina V. Ishkova, Senior Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Penza State University, 440026, Russia, Penza, Krasnaya str., 40, marina195905@mail.ru
Corresponding author: Valeriy V. Vasilyev, vvv1755@yandex.ru

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