Chapters in Books
Abstract:
Tobacco use during pregnancy has long been known to cause persisting adverse neurobehavioral consequences in children. Even more prevalent is the exposure of pregnant women to secondhand smoke: although exposure levels are about one-tenth of that of smoking, there are still adverse effects on neurobehavioral development. Animal model research has shown that nicotine is a principal bad actor in tobacco-induced developmental neurobehavioral toxicity. Developmental nicotine exposure consistently disrupts a variety of neural circuits in addition to nicotinic acetylcholine systems. Sensorimotor, emotional, and cognitive functions are persistently impaired. Nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy can add to the risks of tobacco use if smoking continues. Nicotine is not the only bad actor in tobacco. Gestational exposure to low-level tobacco smoke extract causes greater neurobehavioral dysfunction than the same dose of nicotine alone. Nicotine or tobacco exposure either through self-administration, environmental exposure, or therapeutic use should be avoided during pregnancy.