Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Adult Male Criminal Outcomes

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Abstract
RESULTS OF several studies suggest a relationship between perinatal complications and antisocial behavior. Pasamanick et al1 found a higher rate of pregnancy complications among behavior-disordered children than among age-matched control subjects. Lewis et al2 found a positive correlation between perinatal complications and rates of recidivism among delinquent children. The significant role of prenatal factors in the development of aggression is also supported by studies of minor physical anomalies, which are small, external deformities that often indicate a history of prenatal trauma. Minor physical anomalies have been correlated with aggression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and criminal violence.3-5