Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Passive cigarette smoke exposure and other risk factors for invasive pneumococcal disease in children: a case-control
Colleen S Chun1, Sheila Weinmann2, Karen Riedlinger3
1Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist for Northwest Permanente in Portland, OR. colleen.chun@kp.org.
Insights
Passive cigarette smoke exposure did not increase the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in children. However, recent pulmonary diagnoses and antibiotic use were linked to higher risks of this serious infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality.
- Exposure to environmental factors, such as passive cigarette smoke, is a potential risk factor for childhood infections.
- Understanding risk factors for IPD is crucial for prevention and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if exposure to passive cigarette smoke is associated with an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in children.
- To identify other potential risk factors for IPD in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A population-based case-control study involving 171 children diagnosed with IPD between 1994 and 2004.
- Cases were matched with two controls based on age and health plan enrollment.
- Medical records were reviewed to assess household passive cigarette smoke exposure and other factors like vaccination status, medical conditions, and medication use.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between passive cigarette smoke exposure and invasive pneumococcal disease (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.47-1.2).
- Children with IPD were more likely to be nonwhite compared to controls (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.3-8.2).
- Recent pulmonary diagnoses (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2-4.0) and recent antibiotic use (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.3) were associated with an elevated risk of IPD.
Conclusions:
- Passive cigarette smoke exposure is not a significant risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease in children.
- Invasive pneumococcal disease in children is associated with pre-existing pulmonary conditions and recent antibiotic treatment.
- Further research may explore other environmental or host factors influencing IPD risk.
Objective:
To investigate whether passive cigarette smoke exposure increases the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in children.
Methods:
In a population-based case-control study, 171 children aged 0 to 12 years with culture-confirmed invasive pneumococcal disease during the years 1994 to 2004 were identified. Two controls were matched to each case on age and patterns of Health Plan membership. We reviewed medical records of subjects and family members for information on household cigarette smoke exposure within 2 years of the diagnosis of invasive pneumococcal disease. We collected information on sex, race, pneumococcal vaccination, selected medical conditions, and medications in the 3 months before the diagnosis.
Results:
Similar proportions of cases (25%) and controls (30%) had definite or probable passive smoke exposure (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47-1.2). Cases of invasive pneumococcal disease were more likely to be nonwhite than controls (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.3-8.2). Elevated risk of invasive pneumococcal disease was found in subjects with recent pulmonary diagnoses (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2-4.0) and recent antibiotic use (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.3).
Conclusions:
Passive cigarette smoke exposure was not associated with invasive pneumococcal disease in this pediatric population. Invasive pneumococcal disease was associated with recent pulmonary diagnoses and recent antibiotic use.
More Related Videos
12:21A Mouse Model for the Transition of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Colonizer to Pathogen upon Viral Co-Infection Recapitulates Age-Exacerbated Illness
Published on: September 28, 2022
09:12Characterization of Inflammatory Responses During Intranasal Colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Published on: January 17, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:23Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction