Baby boys of mothers who smoke while pregnant experience more side-effects than girls
14:31, 12 Mar 2025
'Maternal smoking' is when a women smokes throughout her pregnancy(Image: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Smoking during pregnancy has a bigger impact on sons than daughters, a new study has found. The research from the University of Aberdeen identified a genetic link that found baby boys were more likely to see long-lasting side-effects of their mother smoking when compared to girls.
The study, which was UK-wide, found that one of the biggest impacts of maternal smoking was that affected males are more likely to die younger if they become smokers themselves.
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The University of Aberdeen's study is one of the world’s largest investigations into the effects of maternal smoking. Researchers studied more than half a million individuals to understand the consequences of smoking during pregnancy, and which of these effects can continue into adulthood.
This first large-scale genetic analysis of maternal smoking was led by Professor Paul Fowler, Chair in Translational Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen.
Samples from the UK Biobank were used to gather data from 500,000 individuals across 22 centres in Scotland, England and Wales, allowing scientists to analyse the genetic, biochemical and socio-demographic factors associated with smoking during pregnancy.
A study has revealed that sons are more affected by maternal smoking than daughters
A study has revealed that sons are more affected by maternal smoking than daughters(Image: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
It was found that male foetuses and adult sons were more affected by maternal smoking during pregnancy than females, which was shown by changes in levels of various genes in male foetal livers and the livers of adult males.
Dying at a younger age was more likely for sons of maternal smokers, but this increased likelihood of an early death was reduced in men who reported to have never smoked cigarettes themselves - a new insight which the researchers said could help devise new strategies to decrease the harmful effects of maternal smoking.
To tackle the health concerns surrounding maternal smoking, the scientists suggest specifically targeting the children of smokers in smoking cessation health campaigns, and screening mothers who are smokers for the presence of gene variants related to smoking addiction, in order to target them for additional counselling.
It was also revealed that men were more likely to develop cancer in adulthood and were more susceptible to developing Type II diabetes than women, but daughters of maternal smokers were more likely to develop digestive and reproductive disorders and mental health issues.
Men who went on to smoke as adults after their mothers smoked during pregnancy were more likely to die young(Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Paul Fowler, leader of the research team said: "We hope our findings will pave the way towards investigating the molecular effects of maternal smoking which will allow the scientific community to uncover the specific mechanisms by which the trait modifies or initiates specific diseases."
Mihail Mihov, who took part in the research as part of their PhD said: "Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been linked to many health issues for babies. However, we previously had limited knowledge about which processes in the womb are influenced by maternal smoking and how they translate to diminished health later in life."
Mihov explained that smoking while pregnant impacts the health of the baby (particularly if it is male) from as early as the second trimester, and that these effects continue throughout adulthood.
Fowler concluded: "Ultimately, we also hope it helps the medical community to develop even better counselling strategies and campaigns towards smoking cessation."
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