Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for the infant. This study examined the relation between smoking during pregnancy and infant temperament and cognition. Participants were 52...Show moreMaternal smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor for the infant. This study examined the relation between smoking during pregnancy and infant temperament and cognition. Participants were 52 mothers (mean age 22.00 years; SD = 2.52) and their infants (mean age = 5.96 months; SD = .44). Of 52 mothers, 15 mothers had never smoked, 19 mothers had smoked before pregnancy and 18 mothers had smoked during pregnancy. Smoking behavior and infant temperament was reported by mother using the Becoming a Mother-questionnaire and the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R; short version). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II-NL) were used to assess cognition. Prenatal smoking was related to maternal education, income and marital status. Women with lower education level and lower income and unmarried women were more likely to smoke during pregnancy. Significant differences in temperament were found between infants of mothers who had smoked before pregnancy and infants of mothers who had smoked during pregnancy. Prenatally exposed infants had less attention to and/or interaction with a single object for extended periods of time and had less reduction of fussing, crying, or distress when soothing techniques were used by the caregiver. For cognition, no differences between the three groups were found. A dose-response relationship was observed for temperament. An increase in prenatal smoking was associated with more negative affect and more fussing or crying periods, suggesting that prenatally exposed infants are at higher risk of developing a difficult temperament.Show less
