The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has found that 18 per cent of surveyed pregnant women have smoked, while 38 per cent reported to have continued to consume alcohol.

 

The study uses data from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), which has tracked the progress of more than 10,000 children since 2004.

 

Australian Institute of Family Studies LSAC manager, Dr Ben Edwards said alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were related to the age of the mother, with younger mothers more likely to report smoking and older mothers more likely to report drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

 

"The early childhood health experiences of these newborns and young children varied depending on where their families live, the age of their mother and whether their parents are well off or struggling financially," he said.

The study found:

  • Nearly 20 per cent of mothers under 25 years old drank alcohol and 37 per cent smoked cigarettes during their pregnancy.
  • Around 44 per cent of mothers aged 30 and over drank alcohol and early 10 per cent smoked cigarettes during pregnancy.

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