Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke
Published on: February 12, 2015
Physiological Regulation at 9 Months of Age in Infants Prenatally Exposed to Cigarettes
Pamela Schuetze1, Rina D Eiden, Craig R Colder
1Department of Psychology, Buffalo State College ; Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo.
Insights
Prenatal cigarette exposure impacts infant physiological regulation. Boys exposed prenatally showed altered respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), suggesting heightened vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke is a significant public health concern.
- Infant physiological regulation is a key indicator of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Understanding moderators of prenatal smoke effects is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between prenatal cigarette exposure and infant physiological regulation at 9 months.
- To determine if postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure or infant gender moderates this association.
- To identify specific risks for male infants exposed prenatally or postnatally.
Main Methods:
- Assessed respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in 206 infants (142 exposed, 64 nonexposed) at 9 months.
- Measured RSA during baseline, positive, and negative affect-eliciting procedures.
- Analyzed data for effects of prenatal smoke, postnatal ETS, and infant gender.
Main Results:
- Nonexposed infants showed significant RSA suppression during negative affect, unlike exposed infants.
- Postnatal ETS exposure did not moderate the association between prenatal smoke and RSA.
- Infant gender moderated the association: prenatal smoke-exposed boys had increased RSA, unlike nonexposed boys and girls.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal cigarette exposure alters infant physiological responses to stress.
- Boys appear particularly vulnerable to the effects of prenatal cigarette exposure.
- Findings highlight the need for interventions to mitigate prenatal smoke exposure risks.
Abstract:
The primary purpose of this study was to examine the association between prenatal cigarette exposure and physiological regulation at 9 months of age. Specifically, we explored the possibility that any association between prenatal cigarette exposure and infant physiological regulation was moderated by postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure or infant gender. We evaluated whether male infants with prenatal cigarette exposure or infants who were also exposed to ETS after birth had the highest levels of physiological dysregulation. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was obtained from 206 (142 exposed and 64 nonexposed) infants during a baseline period and during procedures designed to elicit both positive and negative affect. There was a significant suppression of RSA during the negative affect task for nonexposed infants but not for exposed infants. Postnatal ETS exposure did not moderate this association; however, gender did moderate this association such that boys with prenatal cigarette exposure had a significant increase in RSA rather than the suppression seen among both nonexposed boys and girls. These results provide additional support for the idea that boys are particularly vulnerable to the effects of prenatal cigarette exposure.
