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Maternal smoking during pregnancy and severe antisocial behavior in offspring: a review
Lauren S Wakschlag1, Kate E Pickett, Edwin Cook
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. laurie@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
Objectives:
Recent research suggests that in utero exposure to maternal smoking is a risk factor for conduct disorder and delinquency. We review evidence of causality, a controversial but important public health question.
Methods:
We analyzed studies of maternal prenatal smoking and offspring antisocial behavior within a causal framework.
Results:
The association is (1) independent of confounders, (2) present across diverse contexts, and (3) consistent with basic science. Methodological limitations of existing studies preclude causal conclusions.
Conclusions:
Existing evidence provides consistent support for, but not proof of, an etiologic role for prenatal smoking in the onset of antisocial behavior. The possibility of identifying a preventable prenatal risk factor for a serious mental disorder makes further research on this topic important for public health.