We examine effects of maternal smoking and household smoking environment on the health (illnesses by category and illness days) and development (Bayley MDI and PDI) of infants in 497 low-income families (332 African American, 165 Latino) from birth to 24 months. Mothers recruited in inner-city prenatal clinics were interviewed during late pregnancy and when their babies were 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Before pregnancy, 21% of the mothers were smokers; 6% smoked during pregnancy. Maternal smoking, presence of other smokers in the household, and babies' daily exposure to smoking increased during year 1 and remained higher through year 2. On average, the babies had 3 illnesses during year 1, half of which were respiratory infections. Number of respiratory infections was increased by maternal smoking during pregnancy and at 6 months, smokers in the household at 6 and 12 months, and exposure to smoking at 2, 6, and 12 months. Mental development scores at 12 months were depressed by maternal smoking during pregnancy. Extending our analysis to two years, we use OLS and logistic regression to isolate the effects of smoking variables on illnesses and development, controlling for well-child care, family demographics and household circumstances, including presence of vermin.
Learning Objectives: Identify the unique effects of maternal and household smoking environment on infant illnesses and development from birth to 2 years
Keywords: Child Health, Smoking
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.