Children of Moms Who Smoked During Pregnancy More Likely to Have ADHD

Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy could have an increased risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related disorders, say researchers from hospitals in Aarhus and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Using birth records of children born between 1991 and 1994, researchers identified 170 children with ADHD or hyperactivity and compared them to 3,765 kids of the same age and gender who didn't have ADHD. The mothers of the children in the study reported whether they'd smoked during pregnancy.

Children of mothers who had smoked during pregnancy had a three-fold increased risk for having ADHD or hyperactivity, compared to children whose mothers didn't smoke during pregnancy. Even when the researchers took the family history of mental health problems and other factors into account, the risk of ADHD was still greater for kids whose mothers smoked during pregnancy.

What This Means to You: Smoking during pregnancy and exposing a fetus to harmful chemicals in tobacco - like nicotine - can cause changes in brain development both before and after birth. This study suggests that children of women who smoked during pregnancy are more likely to develop ADHD, a mental health problem that makes it difficult for children to control their behavior or pay attention. Protect your baby's health - and your own - by avoiding smoking before, during, and after pregnancy. If you do smoke, talk to your doctor or obstetrician about how to quit.

Source: Karen Markussen Linnet, MD, PhD; Kirsten Wisborg, MD, DMSc; Carsten Obel, MD, PHD; Niels Jorgen Secher, MD; Per Hove Thomsen, MD, DMSc; Esben Agerbo, MSc; Tine Brink Henriksen, MD, PhD; Pediatrics, August 2005

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: September 2005

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

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