Smoking in pregnancy triples child infection risk

Smoking when pregnant can triple the risk of a child succumbing to a major cause of meningitis, research has shown.

Inhaling tobacco smoke in the home also made young children vulnerable to invasive meningococcal infection. For those under five, passive smoking more than doubled the risk, a study found. Meningococcal bacteria are responsible for the most dangerous form of meningitis and can also invade the blood, lungs or joints.

One in 20 of those struck by invasive meningococcal disease will die, despite medical attention, and one in six will be left severely disabled.