Early hits and long-term consequences: tracking the lasting impact of prenatal smoke exposure on telomere length in children

Am J Public Health. 2013 Oct;103 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S133-5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301208. Epub 2013 Aug 8.

Abstract

We examined the association between telomere length and prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) in 104 children aged 4 to 14 years. Salivary telomere length (STL) was determined from salivary DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Of the children, 18% had maternal reported PTE. Mean STL was significantly lower among children with PTE (6.4 vs 7.5, P < .05). Findings extend the literature demonstrating the negative long-term effects of PTE to include a cellular marker of aging linked to multiple negative health outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure*
  • New Orleans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telomere / ultrastructure*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution