Oh, G-d No!
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.
Smoke on the womb water?
A heck of a lot more likely: many smokers tend to be the sort of trashy low-lifes who don't discipline their children properly, leading to behavior problems.
While that was true at one time, it's certainly no longer the case. :=)
Good think I didn't ever smoke during oral sex.
Apparently these kid's dads were doing more than blowing smoke up their momma's a$$.
RTFT
What a nasty thing to say.
And yet, accurate.
I smoked. My son was a doll. He was valedictorian of his class at the harded private school in the area and entered Harvard at 17 with sophomore standing.
PHEH on these phony studies.
If I used you as any indication, I'd say that non-smokers were sort of snooty, holier-than-thou low-lifes.
But then again, I know better than pass judgement on people like that.
How dare you be so insulting.
Anti-smoker control freaks tend to be fat slobs from the wrong side of the tracks.
"A little pinch between yer cheek and gums."
So, how do they get the smoke in?
You cheated him out of two Nobel Prizes and the Papacy. ;)
Thats right. I forgot how perfect non smokers are.
So if she's "smokin' hot", that's bad?
"A heck of a lot more likely: many smokers tend to be the sort of trashy low-lifes who don't discipline their children properly, leading to behavior problems."
Perhaps it is the trashy low-lifes tend to smoke?
By definition, anti smoker control freaks are liberals.
Oh, G-d No!
Mom still tells the story about how I used to kick the ashtray off her stomach when she was about 8 months along with me... I turned out Juuuust fine.
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