The effect of prenatal smoke exposure on child neuropsychological function: a prospective mother–child cohort study.

Objective: To study prospectively the effect of prenatal smoke exposure (PSE) on child neuropsychological function and intelligence quotient (IQ). Background: PSE has been associated with adverse effects on child neurodevelopment. However, some studies reported that these associations disappear after adjustment for potential confounders. Methods: A cohortof 248 mothers-child dyad was followed from the first trimester of pregnancy until children were 7.5 years old. PSE was recorded during pregnancy by questionnaire and plasma cotinine. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, the Neuropsychological Assessment of Executive Functions for Children (ENFEN) and the School Neuropsychological Maturity Questionnaire were administered at 7.5 years of age. The effect of PSE on child IQ and neuropsychological function was assessed with ANCOVA, adjusting for obstetric, neonatal and sociodemographic factors. Results: Children whose mothers smoked throughout pregnancy scored lower in interference (ENFEN) compared to unexposed children (F = 4.1; p =.008). The results showed no differences in other executive functions, verbal and visual memory and IQ between the PSE groups. Conclusion: PSE had little effect on child neuropsychological outcome and was limited to mental flexibility. Nevertheless, these findings support further efforts aimed at encouraging mothers to quit smoking in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]