- BALTIMORE - In a recent study
on the effects of second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
exposure among children ages two weeks to four years, researchers at Columbus
Children's Hospital confirmed that even a child whose parents smoke outside
the home in places like the garage is exposed to higher levels of ETS,
as measured by the child's hair cotinine (HC) level. Most importantly,
researchers found that children whose parents believed smoking was harmful
were likely to have lower HC values than other children. Researcher Judith
Groner, M.D., clinical professor of pediatrics, presented the findings
Tuesday, May 7 at the 2002 Pediatric Academic Societies' (PAS) annual meeting
in Baltimore.
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- "We wondered if parents who said they were not smoking
in the home or near their child had an impact on the child's ETS exposure,"
Dr. Groner said. "Our study verified that exposure still occurs. As
healthcare professionals, we still have very serious concerns over the
fact that these children are being exposed to ETS. The youngest children
are the most vulnerable. We found allowing visitors to smoke in the house
also increases the risk."
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- Cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, is deposited in hair
and has been used in past studies to quantify ETS exposure. In addition
to analyzing the HC levels of both mothers and children, researchers asked
mothers of the study participants to complete a questionnaire regarding
their child's exposure to ETS, location where smoking occurs and knowledge
and beliefs about smoking and pediatric health.
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- "We analyzed hair HC levels because they reveal
exposure to ETS over time (months) versus saliva or urine, which shows
exposure in the past few days," Dr. Groner said.
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- The HC levels of more than 290 mother/child pairs were
analyzed. Among the children in the study, nearly 40 percent of their primary
caregivers were self-reported smokers. Only 20 percent of smokers never
smoked in the home. Children exposed to ETS in the home had higher HC levels
as compared to children whose parents smoked outside of the home. Unexposed
children had the lowest HC levels. Additionally, children's HC levels were
lower when parents believed that their smoking could harm their children.
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- "We found that parents who know smoking is bad for
their children choose not to smoke around them," Dr. Groner said.
"This attitude correlates to the child's HC levels being lower. Many
parents may know of diseases associated with smoking, but knowledge is
not enough; attitudes are more important. Believing that exposing their
children to ETS is unhealthy directly influences their behavior. Intervention
to change attitudes among parents is key to reducing children's ETS exposure."
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- Columbus Children's Hospital ranks among the top 10 in
National Institutes of Health research awards and grants to freestanding
children's hospitals in the country. With nearly 500,000 patient visits
each year, Children's Hospital is a 110-year-old pediatric healthcare network
treating newborns through age 21. In 2001, the Children's Research Institute
conducted more than 105 research projects. Pediatric Clinical Trials International
(PCTI), a site management organization affiliated with the hospital, also
coordinated more than 50 clinical trials. In addition to having one of
the largest ambulatory programs in the country, Children's offers specialty
programs and services. Each year, more than 75,000 consumers receive health
and wellness education and 2,000 students from 100 institutions and 500
residents receive training at Children's. More information on Children's
Hospital of Columbus is available by calling (614) 722-KIDS (5437) or through
the hospital's Web site at http://www.columbuschildrens.com.
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- Note: This story has been adapted from a news release
issued by Columbus Children's Hospital for journalists and other members
of the public. If you wish to quote from any part of this story, please
credit Columbus Children's Hospital as the original source. You may also
wish to include the following link in any citation:
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- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/05/020513080257.htm
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