"This study provides more evidence - signals you can see at birth that are similar to signals you can see in adult smokers," London added by email
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While nicotine is relatively benign for most people and has little long-term health impact, it can have short-term impacts on blood pressure and heart rate
While the study doesn't prove how maternal smoking may influence child development or disease, the findings suggest that DNA methylation differences might be involved in the appearance of certain birth defects or medical problems in babies born to mothers who smoke, the authors conclude in The American Journal of Human Genetics
Chemical Exposure from VOCs Volatile organic compounds present in smoke can cause irritation, headaches, and long-term health complications
Cigarette beetles are a type of beetle that is often found in tobacco products