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Maternal cigarette smoking is associated with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in healthy 8-year-old

Julian G Ayer1, Elena Belousova, Jason A Harmer

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

European Heart Journal
|June 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to lower HDL cholesterol in children by age 8. This study investigated the long-term effects of prenatal smoke exposure on child health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Smoking during pregnancy is a significant public health concern.
  • The long-term effects of prenatal smoke exposure on children's cardiovascular health are not fully understood.
  • Lipoprotein levels and arterial structure are key indicators of cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on lipoprotein profiles in children.
  • To assess the association between prenatal smoke exposure and arterial wall thickness in pre-pubertal children.
  • To determine if these effects persist independently of postnatal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based longitudinal study followed 616 newborns.
  • Maternal smoking and childhood ETS exposure were prospectively recorded.
  • At age 8, lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, and carotid intima-media thickness were measured in 405 children.

Main Results:

  • Children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy had significantly lower HDL cholesterol (1.32 vs. 1.50 mmol/L).
  • Higher triglyceride levels (1.36 vs. 1.20 mmol/L) and increased systolic blood pressure (102.1 vs. 99.9 mmHg) were also observed.
  • After adjustments, prenatal smoking remained associated with lower HDL cholesterol, but not with altered arterial wall thickness.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy is independently associated with reduced HDL cholesterol levels in healthy 8-year-old children.
  • Prenatal smoke exposure does not appear to affect carotid artery wall thickness at this age.
  • These findings highlight the lasting impact of maternal smoking on children's cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract

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