Maternal nicotine exposure induces microscopic emphysema in neonatal rat lung

The influence of maternal nicotine exposure (1 mg/kg body mass per day, SC) on neonatal lung morphology and morphometry was studied. The results show that maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation induced alveolar damage which was reflected in alveolar epithelial membrane blebs, fenestrations, a reduced radial alveolar count, an increased destructive index and percentage abnormal alveolar attachments. These findings indicate that maternal nicotine exposure induce microscopic emphysema in the lungs of the offspring.