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Association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and wheezing disorders in Austrian preschool children

Elisabeth Horak1, Bernhard Morass, Hanno Ulmer

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Pulmonology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. Elisabeth.Horak@uki.at

Swiss Medical Weekly
|November 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) significantly increases the risk of wheezing and asthma in preschool children. Children exposed to ETS also have poorer nutrition, including less breastfeeding and lower fruit/vegetable intake.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Environmental Health
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Passive smoking, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations like fetuses and young children.
  • Previous research indicates a strong impact of ETS on early life development, necessitating further investigation into specific disorders.
  • Atopic and wheezing disorders are common in childhood and may be influenced by environmental factors such as ETS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on atopic and wheezing disorders in Austrian preschool children.
  • To assess the association between prenatal ETS exposure and the development of wheezing and asthma.
  • To explore the relationship between ETS exposure and lifestyle factors like breastfeeding and diet in preschool children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1737 Austrian preschool children.
  • Data collected included information on passive smoking exposure (ETS) and the prevalence of wheezy bronchitis, asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to determine the odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for the association between ETS exposure and health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Up to 46% of children were exposed to ETS, with higher risk observed in those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Prenatal ETS exposure was significantly linked to an increased risk of wheezing in the first year of life (OR 1.6) and past 12 months (OR 1.5).
  • Doctor-diagnosed asthma risk was significantly higher in children with prenatal ETS exposure (OR 2.1), and smoking families reported less breastfeeding and lower fruit/vegetable consumption.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a confirmed risk factor for wheezing and asthma in preschool children.
  • Children exposed to ETS exhibit less healthy lifestyle patterns, including reduced breastfeeding and lower intake of fruits and vegetables.
  • The combination of ETS exposure and poor nutrition raises concerns about increased oxidative stress and long-term health in affected children.
Abstract

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