Pregnancy Questions and Answers

Infants born to mothers who smoke weigh less than other babies. This can cause problems for the baby. Lower IQ scores and increased incidence of reading disorders have been noted in children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Hyperactivity is also higher among babies born to women who smoked. Research has shown that smoking during pregnancy interferes with the body's absorption of vitamins B and C and folic acid. One recent study linked cigarette smoking by a mother-to-be with mental retardation in her baby. In addition, newborns of mothers who smoke may experience nicotine deprivation. Adults who suffer from nicotine deprivation exhibit symptoms such as cravings, nervousness and irritability.