Child 'more likely to use drugs if mum smoked when pregnant'

Conclusion Research into epigenetics helps scientists investigate how the genes we inherit from our parents interact with the environment around us – for example, how genes combine to make us more or less likely to behave in certain ways or develop certain conditions. We know from experience that some people seem more susceptible to risks like becoming addicted to alcohol or using drugs or tobacco. This research may help us understand some of the factors behind that difference in risk, although it is likely there are many different causes. Peer pressure, social and economic circumstances, parental attitudes, laws and the price of substances are all likely to affect whether or when a teenager starts to use tobacco, cannabis or alcohol. Still, epigenetic variation may be one more factor to consider. This study doesn't tell us for sure whether smoking in pregnancy causes epigenetic changes that put teenagers at risk of substance abuse. However, we already know smoking in pregnancy has a wide range of harmful effects on the health of the unborn baby by restricting oxygen and introducing toxins into the growing child. And it can also increase the chance of developmental problems, stillbirth and miscarriage. If you're pregnant or want to get pregnant and you smoke, the best thing you can do for your baby is to stop smoking. There's lots of help available. Ask your doctor or midwife, or find out about NHS Stop Smoking services. Links To The Headlines Smoking while pregnan...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Genetics/stem cells Source Type: news