Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring smoking initiation: Assessing the role of intrauterine exposure

Amy E. Taylor, Laura D. Howe, Jon E. Heron, Jennifer J. Ware, Matthew Hickman, Marcus R. Munafò

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Aims: To assess whether associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring smoking initiation are due to intrauterine mechanisms. Design: Comparison of associations of maternal and partner smoking behaviour during pregnancy with offspring smoking initiation using partner smoking as a negative control (n=6484) and a Mendelian randomization analysis (n=1020), using a genetic variant in the mothers as a proxy for smoking cessation during pregnancy. Setting: A longitudinal birth cohort in South West England. Participants: Participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Measurements: Smoking status during pregnancy was self-reported by mother and partner in questionnaires administered at pregnancy. Latent classes of offspring smoking initiation (non-smokers, experimenters, late-onset regular smokers and early-onset regular smokers) were previously developed from questionnaires administered at 14-16 years. A genetic variant, rs1051730, was genotyped in the mothers. Findings: Both mother and partner smoking were similarly positively associated with offspring smoking initiation classes, even after adjustment for confounders. Odds ratios (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for class membership compared with non-smokers were: experimenters: mother OR=1.33 (95% CI=1.06, 1.67), partner OR=1.28 (95% CI=1.06, 1.55), late-onset regular smokers: mother OR=1.80 (95% CI=1.43, 2.26), partner OR=1.86 (95% CI=1.52, 2.28) and early-onset regular smokers: mother OR=2.89 (95% CI=2.12, 3.94), partner OR=2.50 (95% CI=1.85, 3.37). There was no clear evidence for a dose-response effect of either mother or partner smoking heaviness on class membership. Maternal rs1051730 genotype was not clearly associated with offspring smoking initiation class in pre-pregnancy smokers (P=0.35). Conclusion: The association between smoking during pregnancy and offspring smoking initiation does not appear to operate through intrauterine mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1013-1021
Number of pages9
JournalAddiction
Volume109
Issue number6
Early online date12 Feb 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2014

Keywords

  • ALSPAC
  • Intrauterine
  • Maternal smoking
  • Mendelian randomization
  • Negative control
  • Offspring smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Tobacco

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring smoking initiation: Assessing the role of intrauterine exposure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this