Analyzing birth records of over 175,000 Finnish children born from 1987–1989, researchers at the nation’s Turku University found that children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy had a 32% increased chance of being diagnosed with a disorder that would require the intake of psychiatric medications, with the likelihood increasing to 44% if the mother smoked more than a pack a day.

In fact, prenatal smoking heightened the unborn’s risk for all psychiatric afflictions – especially attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and addiction.

While evidence has been previously presented that a smoking expectant mother places her child at risk of long-term health issues like asthma, ear infections and respiratory disease, this was one of the first studies to establish the correlation between prenatal smoking and mental issues such as depression.

The researchers concluded by recommending complete avoidance of smoking during pregnancy, saying that many such childhood psychiatric problems could thus be prevented.

Turku University researchers, we are thankful for this informative study that highlights yet another aspect of tobacco’s damaging effects.

May such studies motivate many mothers-to-be toward smoke-free health to protect ourselves and the lives of the precious unborn.

http://www.physorg.com/news192166947.html
http://www.missionhospitals.org/body.cfm?id=2804&action=detail&ref=31646