Posted on 07/14/2006 9:22:53 AM PDT by presidio9
A new study finds that unborn babies regularly exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb are much more likely to have behavioral problems as young children.
The study, detailed in current issue of the journal Child Development, is the first to show a link between smoking during pregnancy and child behavior problems in the first years of life.
The researchers found that 2-year-olds whose mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke while pregnant were nearly 12 times more likely to show clinical levels of behavioral problems compared to their unexposed peers.
The researchers looked at 93 children between their first and second birthdays. Forty-four were exposed to cigarette smoke before birth; among those exposed, nearly half of their mothers reported smoking more than half a pack a day.
As any parent will tell you, behavioral problems in toddlers are nothing new. There is even a name for it—the "terrible twos." But the behavior of toddlers exposed to cigarette smoke got progressively worse between 18 and 24 months of age compared to unexposed toddlers.
In psychology, symptoms of disruptive behavior include aggression, irritability, rule breaking and poor social skills. The exposed toddlers were significantly more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior and stubbornly refuse following directions. They were also less likely to seek out and socially interact with their mothers.
The one symptom that the exposed toddlers did not exhibit was increased irritability. This is important, the researchers say, because different components of disruptive behavior reflect functioning within different parts of the brain.
"By pinpointing which behaviors are involved, it sets the stage for the next set of studies which can more precisely characterize the relevant behaviors and their associated brain regions in exposed children," said study leader Lauren Wakschlag of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Wakschlag and her colleagues previously found a link between prenatal smoking and antisocial behavior in older youth. The new study suggests that for some children, the roots of their behavioral problems might occur before they are born.
While the study supports the theory that smoking can lead to long-term problems later in life, Wakschlag cautions that it does not prove it.
"However, our findings do move us one step closer to answering this question by generating ideas regarding what areas of the brain might be affected by exposure," she said.
Actually, if prospective parents were completely responsible and committed to the well-being of their potential offspring, they would seek out a place to give birth where the children might be able to enjoy their childhood, adolescence and adulthood without some government goon telling them what is best for them.
Unfortunately, nobody knows where that is, Mr. Government Shrinker.
LOL, it happens.
You know what? That had nothing at all to do with the fact that your mother smoked. That IS a psychological problem, which has been diagnosed many decades ago and it is serious. I've forgotten the name of it, but it IS a real problem; one which usually stems from alcohol abuse during pregnancy and/or physical abuse of a baby.
Who ran those people out of the building and more importantly, why?
Yes........by laughing at her here.......it drives her totally nuts. She's up in Vancouver, BC and I'm here in Virginia, USA.......she can't do a thing to me and she knows it and it irks her to no end.
When I still lived in Delaware she had one of her minions start threatening me with Child Protective Services with charges of child abuse. So being the proactive type gal I am I called CPS myself. When the supervisor I spoke with stopped laughing, we had a very nice chat. That was 5 years ago...neither she nor any of her minions called CPS in Delaware, nor have they called in Virginia....penalties for false accusations are not fun, and they will cross international lines..........and she knows I will persue them.
As to the "almost teen" thing.......what you are telling me scares me more than anything.....thankfully it was only said when I told her it was way past bedtime. Besides that I'm doubting either/both of us will make it until school starts in September, let alone til she becomes a teen :) And I can't believe I'm even considering homeschooling her...........but that's another subject for another thread.
I can understand that.
I know one nice guy who smoked, but he eventually quit. He was the type who was very careful about his second hand smoke.
But all the others I know tend to be angry and aggressive like most of the tobacco addicts who show up on these threads. I noticed the main trait of the smoke exposed children in this study was aggression.
If you ever need any "mothering" hints or just an ear, you know where to find me. My kiddo turned out very well, if I do say so myself. :-)
"How does the smoke get in there?"
Ask Monica Lewinsky!!
So I see you are claiming victomhood.........how liberal of you.
Thanks.......I'll remember that!!!
I have no doubt your kiddo is GREAT!
Thanks...she really IS great! And she and her husband are FREEPERS.
You got that right.
Great tagline!
Once again, I find myself humbled by your vast life experiences, and incredible pool of knowledge.
As smart as you are, you must be a doctor of somekind.
Or, a gubermental employee.
That tells me all I need to know :)
:-)
GovernmentShrinker is not a "Mr.", and nowhere advocated giving "government goons" any authority to intervene when women smoke during pregnancy. Saying that something is unhealthy is hardly the same thing as saying that government should be empowered to stop people from doing it.
Nobody has claimed that every child whose mother smoked during pregnancy will suffer discernible harm, but that still doesn't make it a good idea, since statistically there is a significant risk that it will cause harm. There are quite a number of children who have turned out fine despite their mothers having smoked crack during pregnancy, but that hardly proves that it's perfectly harmless to a fetus for the mother to smoke crack while carrying it -- there are plenty of unfortunate babies and children and adults out there whose landed on the wrong side of the compelling statistics that show otherwise.
No but you called ALL women who do irresponsible, irrespective of what their doctors have to say about the subject.
....... but that still doesn't make it a good idea, since statistically there is a significant risk that it will cause harm.
Actually, the statistical risk is totally insignificant when one uses proper epidemiological and statistical standards. Alas, the average person is unaware of those standards, particularly those in MSM, and the antis prey upon that lack of knowlege by using statisitcally insignificant numbers to create fear mongering headlines.
Whether it is a good idea or not is of no one's business but that of the parents and the mother's doctor.
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