Indoor wood fires ‘dangerous’ for some pregnant women

Study finds link between smoke-related deaths and eclampsia, helping explain worse maternal health

Air pollution from cooking indoors over a fire of wood or charcoal could have life-threatening consequences for some pregnant women, according to a new study.

Researchers at King's College London found a significantly positive correlation" between deaths attributable to toxic smoke from cooking and heating and the rate of eclampsia, a rare condition in pregnancy where high blood pressure results in life-threatening seizures. Women with pre-eclampsia, characterised by high blood pressure or hypertension, are at significantly greater risk in pregnancy if they are cooking over an open fire.