Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Identifying infants at high-risk for second-hand smoke exposure
1Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
Child: Care, Health and Development
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Infants exposed to secondhand smoke are common, especially if the mother smokes or the household has multiple children. This highlights the need for continued monitoring of infant smoke exposure.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infant exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a significant public health concern.
- Social determinants influencing SHS exposure require examination.
- Understanding variations by maternal smoking status and household size is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social factors associated with infant SHS exposure.
- To determine if SHS exposure risks differ based on maternal smoking habits.
- To assess the impact of the number of siblings on SHS exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 135,278 mothers across 28 states.
- Data collected via the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
- Study period spanned from 2000 to 2003.
Main Results:
- 9.9% of mothers reported daily SHS exposure for their infants (≥1 hour).
- In smoking households, infants with siblings faced higher SHS exposure risks.
- Infants with 1 or 2+ siblings were 25% and 59% more likely to experience daily SHS exposure, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Young infants are frequently exposed to SHS.
- Maternal smoking and having siblings increase infant SHS exposure risk.
- Ongoing surveillance is vital for protecting infants from SHS.
