Exposure to Smoke During Development: Fetal Programming of Adult Disease
2006

Effects of Maternal Smoking on Offspring Health

Sample size: 17000 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Bergen Hugo T

Primary Institution: University of Manitoba

Hypothesis

Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of obesity and other metabolic diseases in offspring.

Conclusion

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to a higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in children and adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of obesity in offspring.
  • Children exposed to maternal smoking have a higher risk of developing diabetes.
  • Maternal smoking can impair fetal growth, leading to lower birth weights.
  • Studies show a dose-dependent relationship between maternal smoking and childhood obesity.

Takeaway

If a mom smokes while she's pregnant, her baby might grow up to be heavier and have health problems later on.

Methodology

The review examines epidemiological studies and experimental animal models to explore the relationship between maternal smoking and adult diseases in offspring.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in self-reported smoking status and other lifestyle factors.

Limitations

The review primarily focuses on observational studies, which may have confounding factors.

Participant Demographics

The studies included diverse populations, including a birth cohort study of over 17,000 births.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1617-9625-3-2-5

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