Study Finds Reduced Academic Achievements In Kids Exposed To Prenatal Smoking

The researchers noted that around 79% of studies reported reduced academic achievement in children exposed to maternal prenatal smoking. (Credit: Image by nensuria on Freepik)

Smoking during pregnancy raises the risk of several pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, restricted growth and development, and birth defects. A recent study adds another reason for pregnant women to quit smoking: researchers have found that prenatal exposure to smoking could also impact the child's academic achievements.

Smoking claims approximately 8 million lives every year annually. According to the WHO estimates of 2018, around 2% of pregnant women worldwide report smoking tobacco. Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoking is also known to increase children's mental health outcomes and behavioral problems.