Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure is associated with childhood DNA CpG methylation

Abstract

Smoking while pregnant is associated with a myriad of negative health outcomes both for the mother and for the fetus. [1] In utero tobacco smoke exposure (IUS) can damage the placental structure and function [2], is associated with changes in children’s neurodevelopment and behavior [3] as well as with impaired lung function and increased risk of developing asthma. [4], [5], [6] Moreover, IUS-related deficits in lung function are larger for children with asthma. [7].