Secondhand smoke may affect brain of fetus

Warren King reports for the Seattle Times:

Pregnant women who are chronically exposed to secondhand smoke may have children who are at greater risk of problems related to attention and emotion, University of Washington researchers believe.

In a study released Wednesday, scientists found that children who have such psychological problems have a higher frequency of them -- or more severe troubles -- if their mothers were regularly exposed to tobacco smoke while pregnant.

Those troubles include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), aggressive behavior, defiance and a behavior pattern called conduct disorder, which can include truancy, fighting, failing in school, substance abuse, theft and property destruction.