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Infant neurobehavioural consequences of prenatal cigarette exposure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Suzanne Froggatt1, Judith Covey1, Nadja Reissland1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|December 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure impacts infant neurobehavior. This review found significant effects on negative affect, attention, and temperament in the first year of life.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke alters fetal brain development.
  • These alterations impact postnatal psychological and behavioral development, affecting an infant's neurobehavioral profile.
  • The specific neurobehavioral aspects affected by prenatal smoke exposure require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize evidence on the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure on neurobehavioral outcomes in infants up to one year of age.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across six databases (Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EBSCOhost eBook Collection, OpenGrey) in November 2018.
  • Seventeen eligible studies were included, each measuring prenatal cigarette exposure and a neurobehavioral assessment within the first year of life.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure was significantly associated with eight out of ten neurobehavioral areas in the first year of life.
  • Medium effect sizes were observed for negative affect, attention, excitability, irritability, and orientation.
  • Small effect sizes were noted for muscle tone, regulation, and difficult temperament, while lethargy and stress showed no significant pooled effects.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure significantly affects a wide range of infant behaviors within the first year of life.
  • These findings highlight the critical impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on infant neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract

Keywords:
meta-analysisneurobehaviourprenatal cigarette exposuresystematic review

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