Passive smoking, allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction in children

S De1, J E Fenton, A S Jones

  • 1ENT Department, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK. sude@doctors.org.uk

Insights

Passive smoking worsens nasal obstruction in children, particularly those without allergic rhinitis. Children with allergic rhinitis already experience more severe nasal obstruction.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Environmental Health
  • Allergology

Background:

  • Allergic rhinitis is a frequent cause of nasal obstruction in children.
  • The impact of passive smoking on nasal obstruction, especially in relation to allergic rhinitis, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of passive smoking on nasal obstruction in children.
  • To compare these effects in children with and without allergic rhinitis.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 81 children.
  • Nasal obstruction assessed using a visual analogue scale.
  • Passive smoking exposure evaluated via parental questionnaire and urinary cotinine/creatinine ratio.

Main Results:

  • Nasal obstruction was significantly more severe in children with a history of allergic rhinitis (p < 0.05).
  • A trend indicated increased nasal obstruction in children without allergic rhinitis exposed to passive smoking compared to unexposed children.

Conclusions:

  • Nasal obstruction is more pronounced in children with allergic rhinitis.
  • Passive smoking appears to exacerbate nasal obstruction symptoms in children, particularly those without allergic rhinitis.

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