MATERNAL tobacco use during pregnancy (MTDP) is associated with reduced brain development in children, particularly in cortical gray–white matter contrast (GWC) and subcortical volumes.
MTDP remains a significant public health challenge, with its full impact on child neurodevelopment not yet fully understood. This study, conducted as part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) cohort, examined the longitudinal effects of MTDP on brain morphology in children aged 9–12 years across 21 USA sites. The research provides essential insights into how prenatal tobacco exposure affects brain growth and underscores the importance of preventive measures.
The study analysed data from 11,448 children, 16.6% of whom were exposed to MTDP. Brain imaging revealed that children with MTDP exposure exhibited consistently lower GMC across the cortex, including the superior frontal (B: -0.0019, P=0.004), supramarginal (B: -0.0021, P=0.002), and middle temporal (B: -0.0024, P<0.001) lobes at wave 1. These deficits persisted at wave 2. Subcortical volume analyses showed smaller lateral ventricle (B: -257.5, P=0.001) and left caudate nucleus volumes (B: -37.7, P=0.01) at wave 1, with bilateral caudate reductions at wave 2. These findings demonstrate the enduring neurodevelopmental consequences of MTDP.
This cohort study confirms that MTDP exposure is associated with lower GWC across the cortex and reduced caudate nuclei volume compared with no exposure. These results highlight the importance of preventing MTDP through targeted public health initiatives and integrating education on tobacco risks into prenatal care. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these developmental changes and develop interventions to support children affected by prenatal tobacco exposure.
Katheeja Imani, EMJ
Reference
Puga TB et al. Prenatal tobacco exposure, brain subcortical volumes, and gray-white matter contrast. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(12):e2451786.
