In 1998, Griesler and Kandel found that 49% of mothers that drank prenatally also smoked prenatally. This is an alarming statistic because not only is the infant at risk because of mother drinking, the infant is significantly more at risk because of prenatal smoking.
Smoking
- Smoking is the cause of 1/6 of all deaths in the United States each year (approx. 400,000).
- $65 BILLION spent each year in health related costs.
- 2/3'rds of high-school seniors report smoking at least once.
- The chart below illustrates the usage among women's age groups. Note the highest age group among all forms of abuse and the age difference among 18-25 year old's in regards to cigarettes. It shows that the younger a mother is, the more likely they are to abuse while pregnant. It is also important to note that it has been shown that even if a teen wants to be a mother, there is still significant risk that they will use nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs when compared to older mothers (even when they are unplanned).
Even with genetic risk, the potential for ADHD is quite low compared to genetic risk couple with smoking.
Drinking
- Approximately 12% of ALL pregnant women drink alcohol while they are pregnant in the United States
- In a national study, more than half of women aged 15-44 drank while pregnant (WOW).
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is estimated to occur in 1-2 births out of every 1,000 in the United States.
- The following graph shows past year dependence percentage by age:
Illicit Drugs
- More than 5% of ALL pregnant women use illegal drugs while pregnant.