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Published on: February 12, 2015
Tobacco Smoke Exposure Biomarker Profiles and Healthcare Utilization Patterns Among U.S. Children
Ashley L Merianos1, Georg E Matt2, Roman A Jandarov3
1School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
Specific tobacco smoke exposure biomarkers are linked to increased healthcare visits and hospitalizations in U.S. children. Findings highlight the need for comprehensive exposure assessment and child tobacco smoke exposure reduction policies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) is a significant environmental health concern for children.
- Understanding the relationship between specific TSE biomarkers and healthcare utilization is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate associations between distinct tobacco smoke exposure biomarkers and healthcare utilization in U.S. children aged 3-11.
- To differentiate these associations in children with and without asthma.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of secondary data from the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2838).
- Utilized Poisson regression to assess relationships between serum cotinine, urinary total nicotine equivalents (TNE2), NNAL, NNAL/TNE2 ratio, and 2CyEMA/TNE2 ratio with healthcare visits and hospitalizations.
- Adjusted for sociodemographic and home TSE covariates.
Main Results:
- Higher urinary TNE2 levels correlated with increased healthcare visits in children without asthma.
- Elevated urinary 2CyEMA/TNE2 ratio was associated with more healthcare visits in children with asthma.
- Higher serum cotinine and 2CyEMA/TNE2 ratio linked to increased hospitalizations in children without asthma.
- Higher NNAL/TNE2 ratio associated with increased hospitalizations in children with asthma.
Conclusions:
- Specific TSE biomarkers are associated with differential healthcare utilization patterns in children, both with and without asthma.
- Comprehensive assessment of TSE biomarkers is recommended for a better understanding of health impacts.
- Urgent implementation of child tobacco smoke exposure reduction policies is warranted.
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