A new study published in the August edition of Archives of General Psychiatry reports that cigarette exposure in the womb increases the risk of psychiatric illness as young adults.  Babies exposed to tobacco smoke in utero were more likely to have substance abuse problems and experience more emotional and behavioral disorders. Schizophrenia and Anorexia Nervosa were not increased in those exposed to prenatal smoke.

Thus far we know that exposure to smoke increases miscarriage rates, stillbirths and contributes to low birth weight in infants. It now seems that tobacco affects brain, mental and emotional development as well. While identifying new ill effects of tobacco smoke may not be a surprise or seem particularly interesting, I am always on the look-out for articles which support the long term value of creating a clean and healthy environment for developing fetuses.