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Effect of Tobacco Smoke, Pets
During Baby's First Year on
Asthma
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 2004: It has
previously been shown that early exposure to cats and dogs may
have a protective effect for children prone to developing
allergies. New research now shows that being exposed to
secondhand smoke could negate that protective effect,
according to a study presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of
the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
Dennis Ownby, MD, FAAAAI, from the Medical College of Georgia,
and colleagues analyzed the relationship between exposure to
cats and dogs during the first year of life and the risk of
developing allergies at 6-7 years of age in 474 children. They
also evaluated parental smoking habits during pregnancy.
Results from the study showed:
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Children of
nonsmoking parents were significantly less likely to develop
allergies if they were exposed to 2 or more cats or dogs
than children exposed to 1 or no pets.
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Exposure to 2 or
more cats or dogs did not alter the risk of developing
allergies in children of smoking parents.
This study further supports the theory that
exposure to pets early in life protects against the
development of allergies. However, the protection is negated
upon exposure to secondhand smoke.
Long-term
secondhand
smoke increases asthma risk
Long-term secondhand pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure
increases the risk for the development of allergic
sensitization and asthma during the first 10 years of life,
according to a study presented at the 2004 AAAAI Annual
Meeting in San Francisco.
Michael Kulig, PhD, and colleagues from Charite University
Medical Center in Berlin, Germany measured the long-term
effects of tobacco smoke in 1,314 newborns through parental
questionnaires and/or interviews. Four outcomes were
considered: allergic sensitization to inhalant allergens,
allergic rhinitis, wheezing and respiratory infections.
Long-term effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were
measured by generalized estimating equation models that were
adjusted for education, birth weight, breast feeding, number
of siblings and pets.
Results showed that ETS exposure increased with age. Eighteen
percent of children had been exposed continuously by their
mothers smoking and 40% of children had never been exposed to
their parents smoking. In children who have parents with
allergies, combined in utero tobacco (IUT) and regular
maternal ETS exposure significantly increased the risk for
allergic sensitization and asthma.
Childhood asthma
vs. parental smoking behavior
Parents who smoke were not more likely to quit smoking or
smoke outside the home after their child was diagnosed with
asthma according to a study presented at the 2004 AAAAI Annual
Meeting in San Francisco.
In 2002-2003, 12,556 households of children born in 1995 in
Manitoba, Canada, were surveyed by Joel J. Liem, MD, and
colleagues from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB,
Canada. Parents were asked whether their 7-year- old had
asthma and whether smokers were present in the home in 1995 or
currently.
Researchers found that the overall prevalence of parental
smoking was 32.2% in 1995 and 23.4% in 2002-2003. This drop in
prevalence was not due to a child's diagnosis of asthma,
family history of asthma, place of residence (urban/rural) or
socioeconomic status. The study raises concerns that the
likelihood of altering parental smoking behavior occurs
independently of the diagnosis of asthma.
Benefits of a school-based
asthma treatment program
Distributing inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at school improved
symptoms, quality of life and absenteeism among urban children
with persistent asthma according to a study presented at the
2004 AAAAI Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
Robert J. Holzhauer, MD, MBA, FAAAAI, from the University of
Rochester School of Medicine, and colleagues enrolled 184
eligible children aged three to seven from 54 urban schools in
a study to provide ICS at school. These children were
evaluated against a group of students who received their usual
care.
Researchers found that children enrolled in the school-based
group missed less school due to asthma, experienced a better
quality of life and had more symptom-free days during the
early winter months compared to the usual care children. These
improvements were only seen in children who were not exposed
to secondhand smoke.
These studies were presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI),
taking place March 19-23, 2004 in San Francisco. The AAAAI is
the largest professional medical specialty organization in the
United States representing allergists, asthma specialists,
clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others
with a special interest in the research and treatment of
allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has nearly
6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other
countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by
providing educational information through its Web site,
www.aaaai.org , and its Physician Referral and Information
Line, 1-800-822-2762.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology |
