Association of Prenatal, Early Postnatal, or Current Exposure to Secondhand Smoke With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children

Abstract

Key Points Question Are there associations between prenatal, early postnatal, or current exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and symptoms or subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 45\u2009562 school-aged children in China, SHS exposure from pregnancy to childhood was associated with higher odds of having ADHD symptoms and subtypes. When considering the timing of SHS exposure, the associations were somewhat stronger in the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Meaning These findings support the association of SHS exposure with ADHD-related symptoms among children and highlight the importance of strengthening public health efforts to reduce SHS exposure.