Smoking during pregnancy associated with increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring

Researchers report an association between smoking during pregnancy and increased risk for schizophrenia in children. The paper evaluated nearly 1,000 cases of schizophrenia and matched controls among offspring born in Finland from 1983-1998. Results showed that a higher maternal nicotine level in the mother’s blood was associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia among their offspring. The study provides the most definitive evidence to date that smoking during pregnancy is associated with schizophrenia.