Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.2K

Prenatal tobacco exposure, birthweight, and offspring psychopathology

Ardesheer Talati1, Priya J Wickramaratne2, Rikke Wesselhoeft3

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Psychiatry Research
|March 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) is linked to lower birthweight and increased risk of disruptive behavior and substance use disorders in offspring. Birthweight did not explain these long-term mental health effects.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Developmental psychology
  • Reproductive health

Background:

  • Prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) is associated with adverse offspring mental health, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Birthweight is an early indicator of fetal development and may mediate the effects of PTE on later psychopathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether birthweight mediates the association between prenatal tobacco exposure and offspring psychopathology.
  • To examine the long-term mental health consequences of PTE in offspring.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 238 offspring from a family depression study with prenatal smoking histories and adult psychiatric assessments.
  • Exposure defined as maternal smoking of ≥10 cigarettes daily/nearly daily.
  • Clinical interviews and best-estimate diagnostic procedures, blind to exposure, assessed psychiatric problems.

Main Results:

  • PTE was associated with significantly lower birthweight (0.7lb reduction, p=0.0002).
  • PTE increased rates of disruptive behavior disorders in males (OR=2.66) and trended towards increased substance use disorders in females (OR=2.23).
  • PTE decreased rates of mood disorders in males (OR=0.42); birthweight did not mediate these associations.

Conclusions:

  • Birthweight does not mediate the link between prenatal tobacco exposure and offspring psychopathology.
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy has lasting adverse effects on offspring mental health, independent of birthweight.
  • Smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women are crucial for mitigating both immediate (birthweight) and long-term (mental health) adverse outcomes.

Keywords:
BirthweightExternalizing disordersGestational exposureNicotine

More Related Videos

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats11:01

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

Published on: December 14, 2014

10.3K
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

773

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.4K
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
1.8K
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
301
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.1K
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
1.2K
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
7.2K