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Cigarette smoking during pregnancy and hyperactive‐distractible preschooler's: A follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Markussen Linnet Karen,
Obel Carsten,
Bonde Else,
Hove Thomsen Per,
Jørgen Secher Niels,
Wisborg Kirsten,
Brink Henriksen Tine
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.tb02317.x
Subject(s) - medicine , offspring , pregnancy , impulsivity , anxiety , socioeconomic status , pediatrics , psychiatry , developmental psychology , psychology , population , environmental health , genetics , biology
Aim: To study the association between intrauterine exposure to tobacco smoke and behavioural disorders in preschool children, primarily symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity but also hostile‐aggressive and anxious‐fearful symptoms. Methods: We conducted a follow‐up study in 1355 singletons born to Danish‐speaking mothers. Information on smoking habits during pregnancy and other lifestyle factors was obtained from self‐administered questionnaires filled in during second and third trimester. Approximately 3.5 years later, the parents provided information on their child's behaviour using the self‐administered Preschool Behaviour Questionnaire. The children were categorized into three not mutually exclusive behaviour groups: hyperactive – distractible (13.6%), hostile–aggressive (4.6%), and anxious‐fearful (6.4%) children. Results: Compared with children of non‐smokers, children born to women who smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day had a 60% increased risk of hyperactivity and distractibility perceived by the parents (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0–2.3; P < 0.05). The results were adjusted for maternal lifestyle factors and socioeconomic characteristics. Additional adjustment for perinatal factors and parental psychiatric hospitalization did not change the results substantially (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.6). We found no statistically significant association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and hostile–aggressive and anxious‐fearful behaviour in the offspring. Conclusion: Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero was associated with hyperactive‐distractible behaviour in preschool children.