Pregnant smoking ‘psychosis link’
October 3rd, 2009
Author: admin
Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their children at greater risk of psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, a study suggests.
A UK survey of 12-year-olds found those whose mothers had smoked were 20% more likely to suffer such problems.
The link was 84% more pronounced if 20 or more cigarettes a day were smoked.
The researchers suggested tobacco exposure in the womb may affect the child’s brain development, but admitted further study of the issue was needed.
The research by Cardiff, Nottingham, Bristol and Warwick universities was part of a long-running study known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children looking at how genetics and the environment affects health.
During this latest part of the programme, 12-year-olds were asked if they had had any psychotic episodes such as delusions and hallucinations in the past six months.
In total, 11% of the group did.
The group was also studied for their mother’s use of cannabis and alcohol. Read more…
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