A Critical Review on Association Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Psychopathology Symptoms

Abstract

The use of tobacco during pregnancy may be associated with other problematic prenatal health behaviors. During pregnancy, smoking, prenatal health behavior, and mental health are interrelated. Studying factors that contribute to variations in prenatal health practices among pregnant women who smoke was the purpose of this study. A study of birth mothers’ health behaviors and mental health symptoms at 5 - 6 months after birth was conducted. Approximately a quarter of the participants reported smoking six or more cigarettes a day for at least one trimester. Mothers who smoked more than 6 cigarettes daily displayed higher levels of antisocial behavior as well as depression among those who smoked less than 6 cigarettes daily; antisocial behaviors and depressive symptoms were not associated with prenatal folate use. Prenatal care visits were fewer for mothers who smoked fewer than six cigarettes daily. Prenatal care visits were not associated with antisocial behaviors and anxiety symptoms. The author concludes, there may be a link between maternal antisocial behavior and depression symptoms during pregnancy, independent of prenatal care quality, and poorer compliance with recommendations for folate supplementation.