You already know that smoking during pregnancy can result in premature labor, ectopic pregnancy (in which the fertilized egg implants outside the womb), miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption, vaginal bleeding, and premature delivery. Babies born to mothers who smoked are more likely to have learning problems, short attention spans, and hyperactivity disorders. They’re more vulnerable to breathing problems such as asthma. Smoking during pregnancy can also put your baby at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth weight and developmental delays in the infant.
Now researches have found another troubling side effect: children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and who are exposed to the metal have more than twice the usual risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (read more)
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