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Maternal Smoking Contributes to
the Development of Childhood ADHD
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Kelly Sadowski, PA-C, MS1
Thomas G. Parish, PA-C,
DHSc2
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Medical College of Ohio
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Eastern Virginia Medical School
United States
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Citation:
Sadowski, K., Parish, T. Maternal Smoking Contributes to the Development
of Childhood ADHD. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and
Practice. January 2005. Volume 3 Number 1.
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Abstract
A review of the literature was undertaken
concerning maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy. A link between
this behavior and an increased incidence of behavioral disorders,
specifically Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was
explored. The review was performed using Medline, CINAHL, and Pubmed.
Search terms used were maternal smoking, ADHD, and behavioral
disorders. Maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to be associated
with an increased incidence of ADHD in childhood. A direct causative
relationship has not been established. However, after controlling for
other potential variables such as maternal age, education and
socioeconomic status, it can be concluded that smoking during
pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for the development of
ADHD in childhood. The development of childhood behavior disorders is
likely a lesser-known effect of maternal smoking. This information can
be used to alert physician assistants and other clinicians to a
potentially preventable common childhood cognitive disorder.
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Keywords: maternal smoking, ADHD, childhood development, hyperactivity
disorder, nicotine |
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