CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Environmental exposure to tobacco smoke
and the onset of respiratory infections in
neonatal, infant, and childhood stages: A
systematic review
More details
Hide details
1
General Hospital Elena Venizelou, Athens, Greece
2
Department of Midwifery, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
3
Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
4
Department of Pathophysiology, Laiko General Hospital, National and KapodistrIan University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Publication date: 2024-10-17
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2024;10(Supplement 1):A12
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Smoking during the perinatal period disrupts the structure
and development of children’s lungs, leading to alterations,
reduced pulmonary function, respiratory infections, and frequent
hospitalizations, particularly in children whose parents are
smokers.
Objective:
This study aims to examine the impact of environmental exposure
to tobacco smoke and the manifestation of respiratory infections
in neonates, infants, and children.
Materials and Methods:
A literature review was conducted by searching scientific articles
in electronic databases using keywords such as “smoking,”
“perinatal period,” “respiratory,” “secondhand smoke exposure,”
and “thirdhand smoke exposure,” among others.
Results:
Parental tobacco use, both prenatally and postnatally, along with
secondary and tertiary exposure of children to tobacco smoke,
is associated with adverse respiratory outcomes, including
wheezing and asthma; bronchitis; bronchiolitis; persistent cough
(lasting more than 3 weeks); otitis media and bronchopulmonary
dysplasia. Due to respiratory infections, hospitalization of
children in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), Pediatric
Intensive Care Units (PICU), or Pediatric High Dependency Units
(PHDU), respiratory support, and lifelong medication are often
unavoidable. Prenatal maternal smoking significantly increases
the risk of these diseases, while postnatal exposure exacerbates
this risk. Extended breastfeeding appears to be a protective factor
against these diseases, as many mothers tend to quit smoking
during lactation.
Conclusions:
Respiratory health during the neonatal, infant, and childhood
stages is severely impacted by the harmful effects of environmental
exposure to tobacco smoke. Parental education and support for
smoking cessation are essential to safeguard their children’s
health. The role of healthcare providers is crucial and of utmost
importance.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
FUNDING
Funding is not provided.