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Maternal smoking during pregnancy as an environmental risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

K Langley1, F Rice, M B M van den Bree

  • 1Department of Psychological Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. langleyk@cardiff.ac.uk

Minerva Pediatrica
|January 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Studies show a more than two-fold increased risk for ADHD diagnoses in offspring exposed to smoking in utero.

Area of Science:

  • Childhood psychiatric disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Public health

Background:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent childhood psychiatric condition.
  • The exact causes of ADHD remain largely unknown despite extensive research.
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a suspected environmental risk factor for adverse offspring outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize evidence linking maternal smoking during pregnancy to ADHD.
  • To discuss methodological challenges in studying this association.
  • To evaluate the strength of the evidence for maternal smoking as an ADHD risk factor.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed using relevant keywords.
  • Inclusion of English-language studies published before June 2005.
  • Analysis of pooled odds ratios from case-control studies.

Main Results:

  • The majority of reviewed studies indicate maternal smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for ADHD behaviors.
  • A pooled odds ratio of 2.39 (95% CI 1.61-3.52) suggests a >2-fold increased risk for ADHD diagnosis.
  • Significant association found despite methodological limitations in existing studies.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is confirmed as a risk factor for ADHD behaviors and diagnoses.
  • The underlying biological or environmental mechanisms driving this association require further investigation.
  • This finding underscores the importance of prenatal smoking cessation for child neurodevelopmental health.

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