Secondhand smoke causes behavioral problems in kids
Children who were exposed to secondhand smoke either while in the womb or while they were babies were more likely to have behavioral problems.
Researchers from Inserm and Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC), in collaboration with the university hospitals of 6 French cities, have analysed data on pre- and postnatal exposure to tobacco in the homes of 5,200 primary school children.
Results show that 21% of children exposed tobacco both in the womb and out have emotional disorders. Children who were exposed just either in the womb or out also had behavioral disorders, but were less pronounced.
These results are published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The team led by Isabella Annesi-Maesano, Inserm Research Director at Unit 1136, “Pierre Louis Public Health Institute” (Inserm/UPMC) examined the association between pre- and postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and behavioral problems in children.
“Exposure to ETS in the postnatal period, alone or in association with exposure during pregnancy, increases the risk of behavioral disorders in primary school children,” explains Isabella Annesi-Maesano, Inserm Research Director.
Parents answered a questionnaire to measure the amount of ETS exposure. Behavioral disorders were assessed via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) used to assess the behavioral and psychosocial functioning of the children, which was also completed by the parents.
During pregnancy, nicotine in tobacco smoke stimulates acetylcholine receptors, and causes structural changes in the brain. In the first months of life, exposure to tobacco smoke generates a protein imbalance that leads to altered neuronal growth.
“Our data indicate that passive smoking, in addition to the well-known effects on health, should also be avoided because of the behavioral disorders it may cause in children,” concludes the researcher.
Category: Features, Health alert
