Development of 18-month-old infants born to women who smoked during pregnancy

Outcome of a health examination at a municipality health center

Abstract

Various influences on children due to maternal smoking during pregnancy have become evident. However, not many studies have been published on the growth and development of children born to women who smoked during pregnancy. This study aims to investigate the growth and development pattern of children born to women who smoked during pregnancy; these women were first identified and their children were observed from birth up to 18 months of age. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was found to be an important factor influencing various developmental milestones in children, such as physical balance of the body, skilled finger movements, physiological adjustment, and behavioral control. Therefore, we suggest that the children born of mothers who smoked during pregnancy need regular follow-up. These results indicate that maternal smoking during pregnancy should be considered an important index while analyzing results of infant and child health examinations.