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Effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on body composition in offspring

Toshihiro Ino1, Tomoyuki Shibuya, Kota Saito

  • 1Gunma Paz College, Faculty of Health Science, Gunma, Japan. ino-t@sk9.so-net.ne.jp

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|April 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to altered offspring body composition. Children born to mothers who smoked showed higher obesity and BMI, suggesting a potential risk for growth and weight changes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a significant public health concern.
  • Objective assessment of its impact on offspring body composition is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To objectively assess the association between maternal smoking and offspring body composition.
  • To identify specific body composition changes linked to prenatal smoke exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 2508 grade 4 children.
  • Classification based on urinary cotinine levels and maternal smoking status.
  • Lifestyle disease screening, including degree of obesity (DO) and body mass index (BMI).

Main Results:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with higher DO and BMI in offspring.
  • Children of mothers who smoked showed increased prevalence of DO >20%/30% and BMI >22%/25%.
  • A trend towards shorter height and increased weight was observed, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy may be an independent risk factor for altered offspring body composition.
  • Prenatal smoke exposure is linked to changes such as shorter stature and increased weight.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Abstract

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