Abstract
In this prospective study, we examined the long-term effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (PCSE) on behavioral dysregulation
(BD) in the offspring of adolescent mothers. The adolescent mothers (mean age = 16; range = 12–18; 70% African American) were
interviewed about their tobacco use during pregnancy. Offspring were followed to age 14 years (n = 318). Indices of BD outcomes
included aggression, rule breaking, externalizing, social problems, attention, distractibility and activity. Multiple measures
and multiple informants were used for each construct. Regression analyses were conducted to test if PCSE predicted the BD
outcomes, adjusting for demographic and maternal psychological characteristics, and for prenatal exposure to other substances.
Independent effects of PCSE were found. Exposed offspring had more aggressive, social, and externalizing problems on both
the maternal report and the adolescent self-report measures. They were more active, had more attention problems and greater
difficulty with distraction and task orientation. Most PCSE effects were found from first trimester exposure and from exposure
to as few as 10 cigarettes per day. These results are consistent with previous findings in this cohort when offspring were
6 and 10 years old, demonstrating that the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure can be identified early and persist
into adolescence.
(BD) in the offspring of adolescent mothers. The adolescent mothers (mean age = 16; range = 12–18; 70% African American) were
interviewed about their tobacco use during pregnancy. Offspring were followed to age 14 years (n = 318). Indices of BD outcomes
included aggression, rule breaking, externalizing, social problems, attention, distractibility and activity. Multiple measures
and multiple informants were used for each construct. Regression analyses were conducted to test if PCSE predicted the BD
outcomes, adjusting for demographic and maternal psychological characteristics, and for prenatal exposure to other substances.
Independent effects of PCSE were found. Exposed offspring had more aggressive, social, and externalizing problems on both
the maternal report and the adolescent self-report measures. They were more active, had more attention problems and greater
difficulty with distraction and task orientation. Most PCSE effects were found from first trimester exposure and from exposure
to as few as 10 cigarettes per day. These results are consistent with previous findings in this cohort when offspring were
6 and 10 years old, demonstrating that the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure can be identified early and persist
into adolescence.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-011-0766-0
- Authors
- Marie D. Cornelius, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, WPIC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Lidush Goldschmidt, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 4415 Fifth Avenue, Webster Hall, Suite 138, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Natacha M. De Genna, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, WPIC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Cynthia Larkby, Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, WPIC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875