Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Parental smoking, nasal resistance and rhinitis in children

P Virkkula1, K Liukkonen, A K Suomalainen

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Parental smoking increases children's risk of perennial rhinitis symptoms. However, it does not affect nasal resistance, tonsil size, or airway surgery rates in children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Environmental Health
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Parental smoking is a significant environmental exposure for children.
  • Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is linked to various respiratory issues in pediatric populations.
  • The specific impact of parental smoking on sinonasal health and upper airway anatomy in young children requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parental smoking and the prevalence of perennial rhinitis in children aged 3-6 years.
  • To compare objectively measured nasal resistance between children from smoking and non-smoking households.
  • To evaluate the relationship between parental smoking and tonsillar size, nasopharyngeal airway dimensions, and history of upper airway surgery.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cross-sectional study involving 95 children (3-6 years old).
  • Data collection included parental questionnaires on smoking habits and child's symptoms, ear-nose-throat examinations, anterior rhinomanometry, and lateral cephalograms.
  • Children were categorized based on the presence or absence of parental smoking in the household.

Main Results:

  • Children from smoking families had a significantly increased risk (up to 2.76-fold) of developing perennial rhinitis symptoms.
  • No statistically significant difference was observed in nasal resistance between children exposed and unexposed to parental smoking.
  • Parental smoking status was not associated with variations in tonsillar size, nasopharyngeal airway patency, or the frequency of upper airway surgeries.

Conclusions:

  • Parental smoking is a notable risk factor for perennial rhinitis symptoms in young children.
  • Environmental tobacco smoke exposure should be considered during parental counseling and the clinical evaluation of children presenting with rhinitis and nasal obstruction.
  • While rhinitis symptoms are linked to parental smoking, objective measures of nasal resistance and airway anatomy are not significantly affected in this age group.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Immunofluorescent Labeling in Nasal Mucosa Tissue Sections of Allergic Rhinitis Rats via Multicolor Immunoassay06:08

Immunofluorescent Labeling in Nasal Mucosa Tissue Sections of Allergic Rhinitis Rats via Multicolor Immunoassay

Published on: September 22, 2023

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples11:54

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

Published on: January 21, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...
Common Respiratory Disorders01:31

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...