Prenatal nicotine exposure and child behavioural problems
Open accessAbstract
In utero exposure to tobacco smoke has been related to numerous adverse health effects in new-borns, infants, children, adolescents and adults. The aim of this review was to summarise findings on prenatal nicotine exposure and its relationship with behavioural problems in the offspring. The majority of studies, and especially several recent epidemiological studies, observed a higher likelihood for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or ADHD symptoms in exposed subjects. However, both human and animal studies have failed to provide clear evidence on causality. Existing literature on studies investigating the association between prenatal nicotine exposure and conduct or externalising problems in the offspring suggests a causal effect. The establishment of a final conclusion concerning the relationship between prenatal nicotine exposure and internalising problems in the offspring is complicated by insufficient data and mixed results in epidemiological studies. Prenatal nicotine exposure has been associated with altered brain structure and function in human offspring, and a proposed biological mechanism is related to nicotine's adverse influence on neurotransmitter systems during brain development. In conclusion, establishing a statement on the causality of the relationship between prenatal nicotine exposure and behavioural problems in children remains a challenging task. Nevertheless, considering the results of an increasing number of studies which link prenatal exposure to nicotine to externalising problems applying different methodologies to account for confounding and in view of other adverse health effects known to be caused by this exposure, parents should consider smoking cessation.
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Behavioral problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are significantly increased in children of self-reported pregnant smokers or environmental tobacco smoke exposure.
“Behavioral problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are significantly increased in children of self-reported pregnant smokers or environmental tobacco smoke exposure [23,24].”
From Nicotine on the developing brain. (2023) · cites this paper as [23]
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References 78 · Cited by 125
- Authors
- Tiesler, C. M. T., & Heinrich, J.
- Affiliations
- Helmholtz Munich (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Heinrich, Joachim
- ORCID
- Heinrich, Joachim
- Venue
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Published
- 2014-09-21
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 913-929
- ISSN
- 1018-8827 (ISSN-L)
- 1435-165X
- PMC
- PMC4186967
- OpenAlex
- W2036826698
- Cited by
- 125
- References
- 78
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 1.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Site cant be reached (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Keywords
- prenatal nicotine exposure, maternal smoking, child behavior problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, conduct problems, brain development, neurotransmitter systems, causality, smoking cessation
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Female, Humans, Maternal-Fetal Exchange, Nicotine, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Smoking, Maternal Exposure
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