Smoke exposure ups risk of ADHD

Kounteya Sinha, TNN, Oct 11, 2010, 03.12am IST
Article



A study conducted by American scientists, and presented at the Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health on Friday revealed children exposed to secondhand smoke had double the rate of both ADHD (10.6% compared to 4.6%) and stuttering (6.3%% compared to 3.5%), and an increased occurrence of headaches (14.2% compared to 10.0%). Adolescents also had significantly higher rates of headaches (26.5% compared to 20.0%). This finding could have serious implications for India, which is home to 10% of world's smokers.

Researcher Wendy Max, Professor of Health Economics at the University of California in San Francisco, said results showed children's exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke could have a negative impact on their learning and education as well as their health and all-round wellness. "Our research shows children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are impacted in three different areas of their development. These physical and mental problems are a disadvantage to a child's cognitive and social development," Prof Max said.

"Kids in countries with high smoking prevalence are most vulnerable. As smoking rates in developed countries fall, burden of childhood exposure to secondhand smoke will be disproportionately borne by countries that already face economic disadvantages," he added.


Read more: Smoke exposure ups risk of ADHD - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Smoke-exposure-ups-risk-of-ADHD/articleshow/6726719.cms#ixzz127X56APy