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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Impact Assessment of Repeated Exposure of Organotypic 3D Bronchial and Nasal Tissue Culture Models to Whole Cigarette Smoke
Published on: February 12, 2015
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Neuromotor Function in Rural Children
Samrat Yeramaneni1, Kim N Dietrich2, Kimberly Yolton3
1Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure and neuromotor function in children.
Study Design:
We studied 404 children aged 7-9 years who were exposed to SHS and other environmental neurotoxicants. Parents reported smoking habits, and serum cotinine levels were measured in children to determine SHS exposure. The Halstead-Reitan Finger Oscillation Test, Purdue Grooved Pegboard Test-Kiddie version, and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2-Short Form were used to assess neuromotor function. Multivariable regression models that accounted for potential confounders were used to evaluate the associations.
Results:
Approximately 50% of the children were exposed to SHS based on serum cotinine measures. Exposure to SHS was significantly associated with motor impairment in children, including diminished visuomotor coordination (P = .01), fine motor integration (P = .01), balance (P = .02), and strength (P = .04) after adjusting for exposures to lead and manganese, age, sex, body mass index, measures of parental cognitive abilities, parental education, and quality of home environment.
Conclusion:
SHS is a neurotoxicant that may be associated with impaired childhood neuromotor function.
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