ADHD Linked to Tobacco Smoke, Lead Exposure (1 Viewer)

[Jerry]

Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Associated Press

About one-third of attention deficit cases among U.S. children may be linked with tobacco smoke before birth or to lead exposure afterward, according to provocative new research.

Even levels of lead the government considers acceptable appeared to increase a child's risk of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the study found.

It builds on previous research linking attention problems, including ADHD, with childhood lead exposure and smoking during pregnancy, and offers one of the first estimates for how much those environmental factors might contribute.

"It's a landmark paper that quantifies the number of cases of ADHD that can be attributed to very important environmental exposures," said Dr. Leo Trasande, assistant director of the Center for Children's Health and the Environment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

More importantly, the study bolsters suspicions that low-level lead exposure previously linked to behavior problems "is in fact associated with ADHD," said Trasande, who was not involved in the research.

Source

Article continued at url.

I wonder how the tobacco lobbyists will react to this.

How long will it be before a child sues his or her parents for damages since they exposed him/her to tobacco smoke before she was born......I would love to read that legal decision, as it no doubt would play into the abortion/fetal rights issue.

Heh, you smoke a cigarette and the end result is possibly helping establish rights for the unborn. Talk about a butterfly causing a storm by clapping it's wings.

 

[Spartacus FPV]

Smoking during pregnancy is bad? Go figure...

 

[Jerry]

Smoking during pregnancy is bad? Go figure...

Scientists have recently discovered evidence suggesting that the sky may be blue..... :smile: :2wave:

 

[Eyoma]

children may be linked with tobacco smoke before birth or to lead exposure afterward,

Did it say anything about i fyou could get ADHD if you were exposed to tobacco smoke AFTER birth? (it only mentions LEAD exposure as far as I could see)

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

Did it say anything about i fyou could get ADHD if you were exposed to tobacco smoke AFTER birth? (it only mentions LEAD exposure as far as I could see)

No. As far as I know there is no significant correlation between exposure to cigarette smoke after being born and the developement of ADHD. Major correlational causes of ADHD are heredity, exposure to cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and brain injury.

Here is a basic informational link on the causes of ADHD:

http://www.myadhd.com/causesofadhd.html

 

[FallingPianos]

How long will it be before a child sues his or her parents for damages since they exposed him/her to tobacco smoke before she was born......I would love to read that legal decision, as it no doubt would play into the abortion/fetal rights issue.

I am really curious about this as well. seems contradictory to say its her body, and then say that she cant use harmful drugs while pregnant.

 

[FallingPianos]

Scientists have recently discovered evidence suggesting that the sky may be blue..... :smile: :2wave:

actually its violet.



no serious, the reason we percieve it as blue is due to colorblindness. Diffuse sky radiation

 

[ngdawg]

My nephew is ADHD, there's no smoking in that house, even by guests.
My son was ADD, we smoke. My daughter is not ADHD or ADD.
My friends' daughter is NOT ADHD and they both smoke.
Like anything else having to do with smoking, it's a crap shoot. Nothing happens across the board; some smokers live to be 90, some don't make it to 50. Some children get affected, some are very healthy(like mine).
It's really very simple, if you don't want to roll the dice, don't smoke.

 

[Sir_Alec]

Any study that says 'Linked' in it is pretty much bull **** 90% of the time.

 

[talloulou]

I am really curious about this as well. seems contradictory to say its her body, and then say that she cant use harmful drugs while pregnant.

Yeah cause it flies in the face of common sense and decency. All the screaming about my body my body blah blah blah can't hide the fact that when you're pregnant there is another body in your body!

 

[FallingPianos]

Yeah cause it flies in the face of common sense and decency. All the screaming about my body my body blah blah blah can't hide the fact that when you're pregnant there is another body in your body!

the "my body" argument doesnt deny that there is another body involved. it merely states that it has no right to be there without her consent.

 

[Jerry]

the "my body" argument doesnt deny that there is another body involved. it merely states that it has no right to be there without her consent.

...must...resist....legal -- theory....."fun mental right"......*gasp*......."person"......14th amendment.......Unborn Victims of Violence act of 2004..........must think good thoughts......monkeys are always funny......Book Of Bunny Suicides......WIFE IS HOME WITH CHINESE!!!

 

[FallingPianos]

...must...resist....legal -- theory....."fun mental right"......*gasp*......."person"......14th amendment.......Unborn Victims of Violence act of 2004..........must think good thoughts......monkeys are always funny......Book Of Bunny Suicides......WIFE IS HOME WITH CHINESE!!!

see jerry, the problem with law, is that its written by multiple people. it wasnt the pro-choicers that wrote the unborn victims of violence act.

 

[ngdawg]

Any study that says 'Linked' in it is pretty much bull **** 90% of the time.

And 90% of the time something is linked to smoking...
I forgot my other nephew is also ADHD, no smoking there either. So in just my family, 2 totally non-smoking moms, no smoke at all in their houses and ADHD kids. One smoking mom, one ADD twin, one not (and he's not that bad now).
Oh, and my sister-in-law and her husband both smoked like chimneys and all during her pregnancy (as did I) and neither of their sons is/was ADHD, my mother-in-law and father-in-law smoked, none of the three offspring are/were ADHD.
Anyone know the statistical ratio from that? 3 smoking moms/1 ADD child out of 7...
2 nonsmoking moms/2 out of the 4 total from them are ADHD
Looks to me that if you are a NONsmoker, you have a 50% chance of having an ADHD kid and if you ARE a smoker, a 1 in 7 chance.:mrgreen:
Sir Alec, I do believe you are onto something

 

[dsanthony]

Source

Article continued at url.

I wonder how the tobacco lobbyists will react to this.

How long will it be before a child sues his or her parents for damages since they exposed him/her to tobacco smoke before she was born......I would love to read that legal decision, as it no doubt would play into the abortion/fetal rights issue.

Heh, you smoke a cigarette and the end result is possibly helping establish rights for the unborn. Talk about a butterfly causing a storm by clapping it's wings.

ADHD is a non-existent "disease". It is an attempt to diagnose "unruly" children and allow medication to curb their natural instincts. It's a diagnosis pushed by 2 parent households who don't have time to spend socializing their kids, and by teachers who want to medicate children who are disruptive.

By saying ADHD is linked to smoking and lead exposure, they're basically making the argument that more working class children suffer form ADHD--since the majority of smokers are working class, and the working class is most likely to live in houses built over 30 years ago, when lead was used in paint and other household applications.

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

Firstly, did y'all read my link? The main contributer to the ADHD diagnosis is heredity. There is a correlation/causation link between smoking during pregnacy and lead exposure after and having ADHD. Correlation does not mean that every one who smokes when their pregnant will give birth to an ADHD kid. Not every one who smokes will die of lung cancer, either, though there is a correlation/causation link betwen the two. What the study shows is that one has more of a chance of having ADHD if either of the two mentioned situations occur.

ADHD is a non-existent "disease". It is an attempt to diagnose "unruly" children and allow medication to curb their natural instincts. It's a diagnosis pushed by 2 parent households who don't have time to spend socializing their kids, and by teachers who want to medicate children who are disruptive.

That's just ridiculous and I'd like to see you show some evidence to back up this claim. Not all ADHD children are 'unruly'. Perhaps this diagnosis will help you to better understand the disorder:

Symptoms of ADHD

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] The year 2000 Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD. The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here for information purposes and should be used only by trained health care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Inattention[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
  [*] Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
  [*] Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
  [*] Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
  [*] Often has trouble organizing activities.
  [*] Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
  [*] Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
  [*] Is often easily distracted.
  [*] Is often forgetful in daily activities.
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hyperactivity[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
  [*] Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
  [*] Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
  [*] Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
  [*] Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
  [*] Often talks excessively.
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Impulsivity[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
  [*] Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
  [*] Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.
  [*] Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).
  [*] There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.
  [*] The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).
  [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]

• [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
  [*] ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months
  [*] ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months
  [*] ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.
  [/FONT]

link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/symptom.htm

By saying ADHD is linked to smoking and lead exposure, they're basically making the argument that more working class children suffer form ADHD--since the majority of smokers are working class, and the working class is most likely to live in houses built over 30 years ago, when lead was used in paint and other household applications.

Again, I'd like to see some evidence for this claim.

 

[Schnigelmeister]

If you want my opinion on the matter, I tjhink everything can be linked to everything else.

We live in an ecosystem, it consists of a cycle. And since its a cycle, everything has to be connected, one way or another.

We have to start questioning the relativity of the things we hear, or we will fall for anything.

 

[dsanthony]

disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

I stand by my statement.

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

I stand by my statement.

OK, let's examine your statement:

ADHD is a non-existent "disease". It is an attempt to diagnose "unruly" children and allow medication to curb their natural instincts.

unruly adj.
difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule.

ADHD is not about the inability to discipline the child, it is about the difficulty the child has with focusing, staying on task, figiting, and contolling themselves. This is not about oppositional behavior (clearly stated in point 4 under inattention).

Unruly behavior with much difficulty with discipline would fall under the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder, serious behavioral problems that are non-medicatable.

Oppostional Defiant Disorder link: http://childparenting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=childparenting&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.behavenet.com%2Fcapsules%2Fdisorders%2Fodd.htm

Conduct Disorder link: http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/74.cfm

ADHD can be often confused with either of the other two disorders by a lay person, but reading the differing criteria for either can allow a professional to make an accurate diagnosis.

As far as their 'natural instincts', if their behaviors fall outside those that are appopriate at their developement level, then these are not 'natural instincts', but problematic behaviors that need to be addressed. All children get hyper, silly, have difficulty remaining focused at times, etc... When these behaviors become problematic enough to affect the child's functioning at their current developement level, in accordance with the diagnostic criteria, it is ADHD.

I stand by my statement.

 

[NYStateofMind]

ADHD is a non-existent "disease". It is an attempt to diagnose "unruly" children and allow medication to curb their natural instincts. It's a diagnosis pushed by 2 parent households who don't have time to spend socializing their kids, and by teachers who want to medicate children who are disruptive.

By saying ADHD is linked to smoking and lead exposure, they're basically making the argument that more working class children suffer form ADHD--since the majority of smokers are working class, and the working class is most likely to live in houses built over 30 years ago, when lead was used in paint and other household applications.

Spoken like a person who has no actual experience with the disorder and has an opinion informed by the media and and others who are equally ignorant of the disorder. Maybe you are friends with my cousin, who has an ADHD child who is doomed to a miserable future because his parents refuse to treat him, or even attempt to deal with his issues at all. Sad, very sad.

 

[MrFungus420]

Here's a thought.

From what I've seen, ADHD seems to mean that they have an attention span of about 10-15 minutes...about the same length of time between commercials on TV...

My vote is that it is a combination of conditioned behaviour from TV watching and being spoiled.

 

[NYStateofMind]

Here's a thought.

From what I've seen, ADHD seems to mean that they have an attention span of about 10-15 minutes...about the same length of time between commercials on TV...

My vote is that it is a combination of conditioned behaviour from TV watching and being spoiled.

Yet another person speaking from ignorance. :roll:

Try looking at the links that have been posted. There is a clear hereditary link in the majority of cases.

Here's a thought...how about if I send you one or more of the several children in my extended family who have the disorder for a few weeks and you try to "fix" them by changing their "conditioned behavior" and stopping them from watching TV. Anyone who actually has a child with this disorder would dearly love to watch you attempt to do that, it would be very amusing! :rofl

My own daughter has the disorder, I deal with it daily firsthand and have for years.....you are ignorant of the disorder, the issues involved and the way to address it.

 

[NYStateofMind]

Just for the purpose of addressing the study regarding tobacco smoke and lead exposure....I didn't smoke during pregnancy, nor was I exposed to second-hand smoke, and we moved into a brand new house, without even lead in the solder in the plumbing, when my daughter was 2 weeks old. We have lived here her entire life. Nope, in our case, it is clearly, unquestionably hereditary.

Children who have appropriate, carefully managed treatment can be helped to manage the disorder to a good extent. It is impossible to eliminate all of the issues that come with the disorder, and some children respond to treatment better than others. In my family, there are children who are being treated and doing well, children who have been diagnosed but not treated and are a having learning and behavior problems, and there are young adults who are in denial, have refused treatment and are struggling with basic life skills as well as drug/abuse and self-esteem issues. The latter are examples of why ADHD needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Shame on those who try to perpetrate the myth that ADHD is caused by bad parenting. Nothing could be further from the truth. I wish I had a dime for every ignorant person I have had to re-educate in the last 10 years.

 

[ngdawg]

Here's a thought.

From what I've seen, ADHD seems to mean that they have an attention span of about 10-15 minutes...about the same length of time between commercials on TV...

My vote is that it is a combination of conditioned behaviour from TV watching and being spoiled.

NYStateofMind is correct in calling comments such as these 'ignorant'.
My son was diagnosed ADD at 9 years old. Before they can come to this conclusion, a questionaire is filled out and I confer with the counselor about his upbringing, behavior, etc. To back up my suspicions, I also brought a picture of his room.
My son is not spoiled and tv watching was controlled.
One of the problems he has is a behavioral allergy to sodium nitrates, a preservative in processed meats. The eating of such meat as bologna, pepperoni, hotdogs, exacerbates the ADD-he 'zones out', has had horrible temper tantrums, loses all sense of politeness or fairness and cries easily.
Rather than medicate, which was constantly suggested throughout his therapy, we stuck to the therapy for just over a year to help him learn how to control his impulses, organize his thoughts, etc. He is now 14 and it's only slightly better than it was when he was 9. I consider ourselves fortunate that he did not have the more involved ADHD, which two of my nephews have.
Many of ADD(and ADHD) children are highly intelligent-almost too much so for their age group(this was another problem with my son). This too can lead to frustration, impatience and disorganization as they try to keep their pace under control, albeit in vain.
I'm a firm believer in not medicating if even remotely possible. Ritalin can not be taken forever and I know of several friends' kids who, once off the stuff, became, for lack of a better term, sociopaths and in trouble with the law. Behavior therapy is a much better way to go, but it means strict adherence to guidelines and disciplines.

 

[MrFungus420]

Yet another person speaking from ignorance. :roll:

Try looking at the links that have been posted. There is a clear hereditary link in the majority of cases.

Here's a thought...how about if I send you one or more of the several children in my extended family who have the disorder for a few weeks and you try to "fix" them by changing their "conditioned behavior" and stopping them from watching TV. Anyone who actually has a child with this disorder would dearly love to watch you attempt to do that, it would be very amusing! :rofl

My own daughter has the disorder, I deal with it daily firsthand and have for years.....you are ignorant of the disorder, the issues involved and the way to address it.

I have no problem admitting that I am fairly ignorant of clinical ADHD.

My comment comes from seeing almost every parent with an unruly child blame it on ADHD.