Executive function profile in the offspring of women that smoked during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Smoking tobacco during pregnancy results in exposure to the fetal neuroteratogen nicotine. The current study evaluated if the offspring of smokers show abnormalities in maternal ratings of executive function, prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and academic performance. A secondary objective was to determine the utility of online data collection.


METHODS
Mothers (N = 357) completed the parent form of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and provided information about smoking during pregnancy.


RESULTS
The internal consistency of the BRIEF when administered electronically was quite satisfactory (Cronbach's α = .98). As anticipated, ADHD was more frequently diagnosed in the offspring of women that smoked at least 10 cigarettes/day (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.22-5.71). Higher (i.e., more problematic) ratings relative to unexposed children (p < .01) were only identified on the total BRIEF score, the Metacognition Index, and on the Initiate, Plan/Organize, and Monitor scales among children exposed to ≥10 cigarettes/day. Nicotine-exposed children were also more likely to perform less well than their classmates in math (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.59-4.87) and reading (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.10-3.63), and these academic effects were independent of maternal education levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This report provides preliminary evidence that the BRIEF has adequate psychometric properties when administered electronically and that mothers who smoke have offspring with lower executive function proficiency. These findings contribute to a larger literature that indicates that smoking during pregnancy results in adverse reproductive outcomes and, possibly, subtle but enduring deficits in prefrontal function.
Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. psy391@gmail.com
Brian J
BJ
Piper
Selena M
SM
Corbett
D000293:Adolescent; D000438:Alcohols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003710:Demography / Q000379:methods; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000438:Alcohols; D009538:Nicotine; D003042:Cocaine