Smoking in pregnancy linked to behavioural problems
Joe Lepper
Monday, November 2, 2009
The children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to develop behavioural problems, according to latest research.
Academics at the University of York looked at the smoking habits of around 14,000 mothers, who took part in the UK's largest population survey, the Millennium Cohort Study.
By also looking at their responses regarding the behaviour of their children, the researchers found that mothers who smoked during their pregnancy were significantly more likely to have children with discipline problems, hyperactivity and low attention spans than mothers who stopped smoking when pregnant.
Even the children of light smokers during pregnancy, which is categorised as fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, were around 80 per cent more likely to have hyperactivity-attention deficit disorders.
The research concludes that mothers who gave up smoking when pregnant are more likely to have an "easygoing temperament" and an ability to show restraint. Both traits are likely to be handed down to their children, says the research.
The research adds that smoking during pregnancy may also cause damage to a baby's brain. Research on pregnant animals has shown that smoking can restrict brain development of their offspring.
The research was published in the BMJ's Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
