“…We propose that MSDP acts as an intrauterine stressor that alters the maternal–placental–fetal neuroendocrine milieu and “programs” alterations in offspring neurobehavior via glucocorticoid pathways. Supporting this proposal, preclinical models have revealed associations between prenatal nicotine exposure and alterations in maternal glucocorticoids and offspring hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) stress response (Chen et al., ; Poland et al., ). Human studies have confirmed increased cortisol in the cord blood of MSDP‐exposed offspring (McDonald et al., ; Varvarigou, Petsali, Vassilakos, & Beratis, ), associations between MSDP and infant cortisol stress response (Schuetze, Lopez, Granger, & Eiden, ; Stroud, Papandonatos, Rodriguez, et al., ), and perinatal glucocorticoid programming of nicotine dependence in adult offspring (Stroud, Papandonatos, Shenassa, et al., ).…”