Scientists have warned swapping cigarettes for e-cigarettes during pregnancy could harm your baby’s development.

A research team, led by New York scientist Professor Judith Zelikoff, used mice to test the affect of ‘vaping’ during pregnancy, finding e-cigarette use should be reconsidered as the ‘healthy alternative’ to smoking.

Researchers found mice who were exposed to vaping during pregnancy had differences in brain activity, sperm count and behaviour.

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Long-term differences were predicted to be a reduction in learning, memory and co-ordination, plus an increase in hyperactive behaviour.

E-cigarettes are marketed as a less nicotine-heavy alternative to tobacco, although they do contain small amounts of the drug.

Interestingly, researchers found when they removed the nicotine from the vapour, detrimental affects to the mice’s development were greater.

They concluded other chemicals in the vapour had a greater affect on developing nervous systems.

Lead scientist Professor Judith Zelikoff, from New York University in the US, said: “This is ground-breaking research. What it shows is that there is certainly some concern over the safety of e-cigarettes, particularly in relation to pregnant women or young infants.

“There are potential dangers revealed by these studies indicating a possible impact to the unborn child that may be seen at birth but may occur later in the life of the child.

“Women may be turning to these products as an alternative because they think they’re safe. Well, they’re not.”

Two separate studies – one yet to conclude – also found lower sperm count and greater hyperactivity in mice exposed to vapour during early development.

– with AAP