Association of breast-feeding and maternal smoking during pregnancy with children's general health status later in life

Background: Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with a variety of risks on foetus health while breast-feeding is beneficial to the health development of infants and protects them from diseases. Little has been reported regarding their possible long-term influence on children's health status later in life. Methods: Parent-rated general health status was investigated among 17461 children and adolescents aged 0–17 years, who participated in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) in 2003–2006. Information on breast-feeding, exposure to maternal smoking dur…