EXPANDING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TOBACCO USE ACROSS GENERATIONS
Exposures during pregnancy can directly affect three generations. The Multigenerational Impact of Smoking Tobacco (MIST) Study is investigating health effects of smoking on the second and third generations, and the impact on racial and socioeconomic health disparities.
Study at a Glance
STUDY OBJECTIVES:
Quantify impact of smoking tobacco during pregnancy on health and health disparities in the following two generations.
STUDY POPULATION:
Non-Hispanic White and Black mothers born in California since 1982, and their children born in CA from 2007-2011.
EXPOSURE:
Biomarker of smoking tobacco
OUTCOMES:
2nd generation
Pre-pregnancy obesity
Chronic hypertension
3rd generation
Very preterm birth
Autism spectrum disorder
..In utero exposures may contribute toi
\health disparities across multipleigenerations.
Why study the multigenerational impact of smoking tobacco?
Smoking tobacco during pregnancy exposes two future generations in the womb (in utero): her fetus and the reproductive cells (sperm and egg) within the fetus. The MIST Study evaluates the future health of these two generations exposed in utero to smoking tobacco in order to assess the long-term impact on California’s Black and White populations.
Why does the study focus on Black and White populations in California?
Most research on multigenerational health effects of smoking has been conducted in White populations. In California, chronic hypertension, pre-pregnancy obesity, very preterm birth and autism are more prevalent in Black than White populations, and in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. MIST is interested in whether in utero exposure to smoking in higher-risk groups contributes to these health disparities in the second and third generations.
Who is part of the study?
The MIST Study links existing data spanning 1982-2019. The study includes children born between 2007 and 2011 whose mothers were born in California from 1982 onward and were either Black or White.
What kind of information is the study collecting?
The MIST Study uses birth records, hospital discharge records, prenatal screening records, and Department of Developmental Services records to identify maternal obesity and chronic hypertension in the second generation, and very preterm birth and autism spectrum disorder in the third generation.
How does the study determine who was exposed to smoking in utero?
The MIST Study is measuring a nicotine metabolite called cotinine in stored specimens. These specimens were collected for newborn screening when the second generation was born. To limit costs, the study selected ~2400 specimens for lab analysis.
Can other exposures also have multigenerational impact on health?
Yes. Smoking, famine, and some endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been studied in humans. MIST is also exploring how air pollution exposure in the first generation adds to the impact of smoking on second and third generation health.
What about fathers who were exposed to smoking in utero?
The MIST Study is also conducting a pilot study of fathers’ exposure to smoking in utero and autism spectrum disorder in their children. Fathers in the pilot study were born in California since 1982.