Vaping during pregnancy could alter the shape of a baby’s skull, even without nicotine, according to a new study. Researchers at Ohio State University found that exposure to propylene glycol and glycerol – two liquid ingredients used in e-cigarettes – led to statistically significant changes in skull measurements in mice.
Dr James Cray, lead author of the study published in PLOS One, said: “This had no nicotine, and it’s still having effects on the development of the skull in our model, which was not anything we expected.” The team exposed pregnant mice to filtered air or to mixtures of the two substances at different concentrations for four hours a day, five days a week, during their 20-day pregnancy.
After birth, the pups’ skulls were scanned. Those exposed to a 30% propylene glycol and 70% glycerol mixture had narrower and shorter heads compared to those exposed to air or a 50-50 mix. Cray noted that while companies have moved towards higher glycerol content, believing it safer, the results showed the opposite effect.
The findings were consistent across several litters and both sexes. Researchers also observed a slight reduction in weight among exposed pups, though they remained within normal range. Cray emphasised that as many users are young adults of reproductive age, vaping may unknowingly affect early fetal development.
“This is a small study that speaks to the possibility that nicotine-free vaping is not safe,” Cray added, calling for further research into nicotine-free products.
