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Increase in child behavior problems resulting from maternal smoking during pregnancy
J F Orlebeke1, D L Knol, F C Verhulst
1Department of Physiological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Archives of Environmental Health
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to externalizing behavior problems, like aggression, in 3-year-old children. This effect was observed independently of birth weight in a study of twin pairs.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
- Genetics (Twin Studies)
Background:
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a known risk factor for adverse child outcomes.
- Previous research has explored links between prenatal smoke exposure and behavioral issues, often focusing on birth weight as a mediator.
- The specific impact on different types of behavioral problems and its independence from birth weight requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on behavioral problems in offspring at 3 years of age.
- To determine if this effect is mediated by lower birth weight.
- To analyze the impact on both externalizing and internalizing behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 2-3 years (CBCL/2-3) to assess behavioral problems in 1,377 healthy twin pairs.
- Collected pre- and perinatal data, including maternal smoking habits (never, sometimes, regularly) during pregnancy.
- Analyzed effects on CBCL total and subscale scores, adjusting for confounding factors like birth weight, socioeconomic status, maternal age, and feeding method.
Main Results:
- Maternal smoking significantly affected externalizing behavior problems (oppositional, aggressive, overactive) in both first- and second-born twins.
- No significant effect was found on internalizing behavior problems (withdrawn, depressed, anxious).
- The association between maternal smoking and externalizing behaviors was independent of birth weight and consistent across genders.
Conclusions:
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of externalizing behavior problems, particularly aggression, in young children.
- The findings suggest a direct effect of maternal smoking on child behavior, not solely mediated by birth weight.
- Further research is warranted to understand the causal mechanisms linking prenatal smoke exposure to externalizing behaviors.