Correlation of Smoking and Drinking While Pregnant and Children Born with Adhd

Running head: LINK BETWEEN PRENATAL SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE AND 1

LINK BETWEEN PRENATAL SMOKING AND ALCHOHOL USE AND ADHD
Kristi Pollard
Aiken Technical College

LINK BETWEEN PRENATAL SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE AND 2
Abstract
The following paper discusses the direct connection between mother’s who smoked cigarettes and/or used alcohol during their pregnancy and their child having ADHD. Though genetics can play a factor those children who have the gene for ADHD have an increased risk of developing sever ADHD is their mother smoked or drank during their pregnancy.

LINK BETWEEN PRENATAL SMOKING AND ALCOHOL USE AND 3
Link between Prenatal Smoking and Alcohol Use and ADHD

Numerous studies have been conducted to see if there is a correlation between mothers’ who smoked cigarettes and/or drank alcohol during their pregnancy and children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). What exactly is ADHD? ADHD is “described as the most common neurobehavioral condition of childhood.” ADHD is characterized by children who have problems paying attention in class or concentrating, they also seem to be unable to follow directions, and they may also become easily bored or frustrated with the tasks at hand. Children with ADHD tend to move constantly and are very impulsive. Though these all are common in normal children these symptoms appear to happen more often in children with ADHD. Adults with ADHD may have symptoms such as difficulty with organizational skills, time management, goal setting and employment. They may also experience problems with self-esteem, addictions, and relationships.
In a study done by Washington University researchers showed that there was an increase of a severe type of ADHD when genetics and prenatal exposure to alcohol and nicotine were studied together.

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