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Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke
09:50

Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke

Published on: February 12, 2015

Smoke exposure, airway symptoms and exhaled nitric oxide in infants: the Generation R study

C Gabriele1, R Asgarali, V W Jaddoe

  • 1Dept of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Sophia Children's Hospital, The Netherlands.

The European Respiratory Journal
|April 18, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal and postnatal smoke exposure, as well as respiratory symptoms, are linked to lower exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO) in infants. This suggests smoke exposure timing and symptom severity impact infant FeNO levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Environmental Health
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Prenatal and postnatal environmental exposures, particularly tobacco smoke, can significantly impact infant respiratory health.
  • Exhaled Nitric Oxide Fraction (FeNO) is a non-invasive biomarker reflecting airway inflammation in infants.
  • Understanding the relationship between smoke exposure, respiratory symptoms, and FeNO is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of pre- and post-natal smoke exposure on infant FeNO levels.
  • To investigate the association between respiratory symptoms and FeNO in the first two months of life.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the population-based Generation R birth cohort study.
  • Assessed smoke exposure through prospectively administered questionnaires during pregnancy and post-birth.
  • Measured FeNO during tidal breathing in 187 infants using off-line techniques and analyzed associations with regression models.

Main Results:

  • Infants exposed to smoke both pre- and post-natally exhibited lower FeNO compared to those exposed only post-natally or never exposed.
  • A significant reduction in FeNO was observed in infants with severe upper respiratory symptoms versus those with non-severe symptoms.
  • Infants experiencing lower respiratory tract symptoms showed reduced FeNO levels compared to asymptomatic infants.

Conclusions:

  • The impact of smoke exposure on infant FeNO is dependent on the timing and intensity of exposure.
  • The presence and severity of respiratory symptoms in early infancy are associated with diminished FeNO levels.
  • Findings highlight the complex interplay between environmental smoke exposure, respiratory health, and FeNO in infants.

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