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Hair nicotine levels in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Joseph M Collaco1, Angela D Aherrera2, Patrick N Breysse3

  • 1Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Center of Excellence, American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, Illinois; and mcollac1@jhmi.edu.

Pediatrics
|February 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Hair nicotine levels are a more accurate biomarker for chronic tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) than caregiver reports. Higher nicotine levels correlate with increased hospitalizations and activity limitations in these vulnerable children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Environmental Health
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) is a significant risk factor for respiratory morbidities in young children.
  • Children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of TSE.
  • Systemic exposure to tobacco smoke components can occur through inhalation, close proximity, and dermal absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate hair nicotine levels as a biomarker for chronic TSE in children with BPD.
  • To determine if hair nicotine levels correlate with caregiver self-report of TSE.
  • To assess the relationship between hair nicotine levels and respiratory morbidities in children with BPD.

Main Methods:

  • Hair nicotine levels were measured in 117 children with BPD from 2012 to 2014.
  • Caregiver questionnaires were used to assess household smoking status.
  • Statistical analyses compared hair nicotine levels with self-reported TSE and respiratory outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Hair nicotine levels were significantly higher in children from smoking households (8.2 ± 19.7 ng/mg) versus non-smoking households (1.8 ± 10.7 ng/mg).
  • Children with a smoking primary caregiver had higher hair nicotine levels.
  • Among children with BPD requiring respiratory support, higher hair nicotine levels were associated with increased hospitalizations and activity limitations.

Conclusions:

  • Hair nicotine levels are a more sensitive indicator of chronic TSE in children with BPD than caregiver self-report.
  • Hair nicotine levels serve as a better predictor of hospitalization and activity limitations in BPD patients requiring respiratory support.
  • Chronic TSE is prevalent in children with BPD, necessitating effective monitoring and intervention strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
bronchopulmonary dysplasianicotineprematurityrespiratory outcomessecondhand smoketobacco smoke exposure

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