Evaluation of environmental tobacco smoke exposure of pediatric patients with chronic lung diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) can be harmful to children with chronic lung and respiratory diseases. Exposure to tobacco smoke exacerbates respiratory infections and primary diseases in these children. In our study, it was aimed to determine the tobacco use habits of the parents of the children in this patient group and to determine the ETS exposure of them.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients followed up with the diagnosis of chronic lung and/or respiratory tract diseases in the Department of Pediatric Pulmonary Diseases were included. Tobacco use habits of the parents were determined with a questionnaire. ETS exposure was determined by the measurement of plasma cotinine level and those with a level of 12 ng/ml and above were considered to be exposed to ETS.

Results: Although parents of 105 children (42%) reported there is no smoker among their household, the plasma cotinine levels of 72.4% of the patients were 12 ng/ml and above (figure-1). Cotinine values of children living in the same house with at least one smoker were significantly higher than the children living without a smoker. Cotinine levels of those who were exposed to tobacco smoke in the last seven days were significantly higher than those who were not. Cotinine levels were significantly higher in the group whose parents allow smoking in their cars and home compared to who do not allow (Figure-2).

Conclusions: Questionnaire results were not compatible with cotinine results. As there is no generally accepted plasma cotinine level for ETS exposure in children, further studies are necessary to determine a cutoff value specific to Turkish children.