Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop identifiable psychotic symptoms as adolescents, according to a British study which studied over 6,000 young people.

Lead author, Dr. Stanley Zammit, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University's School of Medicine said that the more the mothers smoked, the more likely their children were to have psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Saying that more research is necessary, Dr. Zammit stated thatexposure to tobacco in the womb could affect the child’s impulsivity, attention or cognition.

Our heartfelt gratitude, Dr. Zammit and fellow researchers for highlighting that the best start in life begins in a smoke-free atmosphere. May expectant mothers everywhere be encouraged to provide the best conditions for future generations.

Reference
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5900XU20091001