Physical, behavioral, and cognitive effects of prenatal tobacco and postnatal secondhand smoke exposure

Changes in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in secondhand smoke exposure in Spanish children, 2016-2019

INTRODUCTION

Children are vulnerable to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, especially those with lower socioeconomic status. This study assesses the changes in prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure in children younger than 12 years old in Spain between 2016 and 2019.

METHODS

We conducted two cross-sectional studies among representative samples of households with children aged <12 years in Spain, in 2016 (n=2411) and 2019 (n=2412). Families were interviewed to assess children's SHS exposure in private settings and outdoor public venues and their adoption of home and car smoke-free rules. We used the education level of the home main earner as a proxy for socioeconomic position. Changes over time in the prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities of SHS exposure and smoke-free rules were estimated through adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance according to sociodemographic covariates (adjusted prevalence ratios, APRs).

RESULTS

In 2019, 70.5% of children were exposed to SHS in Spain. No changes between 2016 and 2019 were found for overall SHS exposure, exposure at home, and at school entrances. SHS exposure increased at public transport stations (APR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.03-1.49) and outdoor hospitality venues (APR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.07-1.29) while it decreased in cars (APR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.56-0.98) and parks (APR=0.87; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98). Households with lower education level had higher prevalence of SHS exposure at home in 2019 compared with those with university studies (primary: APR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.11-1.51; secondary: APR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.00-1.25) and were less likely to adopt home indoor smoke-free rules (primary: APR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.79-0.99; secondary: APR=0.95; 95% CI: 0.89-1.02). Socioeconomic inequalities in SHS exposure at home persisted between 2016 and 2019 (p>0.05), while decreased in smoke-free rules in cars (p=0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Reported SHS exposure among children in Spain remained high between 2016 and 2019. Inequalities persisted at home, highlighting the need for measures to reduce such exposure with an equity perspective.

Secondhand Smoking and the Fetus: A Bibliometric Analysis

Background

Bibliometric analysis may indicate the most active specialist, authors, and journals in a given research field. To the authors' knowledge, there is no bibliometric analysis to provide a macroscopic overview in the field of secondhand smoke that harms non-smoker.

Methods

Using the bibliometric method, 644 articles that were present in the Scopus database between 1973-2020 on the subject were considered. The data were analyzed by two visualization and science-mapping software called Bibliometrix and VoS Viewer. Also, reference publication year stereoscopy and Co-Citation historiography were used. In the qualitative analysis, 52 articles were selected that had the most citation and were analyzed.

Results

In this paper, the findings show that the documents were published in 364 sources with an average citation per document of 25.14 and more than 3 authors or nearly 4 authors per document. The peak reference publication year stereoscopy happened in the year 199 with 974 references. The countries with the highest number of MCP were the USA, China, and Spain. The "International Journal of Environmental Research" and "Public Health", has raised their publications in the field of secondhand smoke and pregnancy rapidly since 2003. Among the titles, "passive smoking" was the most used.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of understanding the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on the developing fetus. The findings also shed light on key research trends, influential authors, and active research areas, which can guide future studies and support evidence-based decision-making in the field of maternal and child health.

Prenatal tobacco exposure associations with physical health and neurodevelopment in the ABCD cohort

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the strength and reproducibility of the teratogenic impact of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) on child physical health and neurodevelopmental outcomes, in the context of intersecting sociodemographic and other prenatal correlates, and test if early postnatal health mediates PTE associations with childhood outcomes.

METHOD

Among 9-10-year-olds (N = 8,803) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, linear mixed-effect models tested PTE associations with birth and childhood outcomes of physical health, cognitive performance, and brain structure, controlling for confounding sociodemographic and prenatal health correlates. Mediation analysis tested the extent to which health at birth explained the associations between PTE and childhood outcomes.

RESULTS

PTE was reported by 12% of mothers (8% [n = 738] pre-knowledge of pregnancy only, and 4% [n = 361] pre- and post-knowledge of pregnancy). PTE was highest for children with a risk for passive smoke exposure. Overall, children with any PTE had shorter breastfeeding durations than those without PTE, and PTE following knowledge of pregnancy was associated with being small for gestational age having lower birth weight, and obesity and lower cortical volume and surface area in childhood. Among children from high-parent education households, any PTE was related to lower cognitive performance, which was partially mediated by duration of breastfeeding.

CONCLUSIONS

PTE was linked to poorer health indicators at birth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 9-10 years in a large community cohort, independent of sociodemographic factors. Efficacious interventions for smoking-cessation during pregnancy are still needed and should incorporate support for breastfeeding to promote healthier development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Associations of timing, level, and pattern of secondhand smoke exposure with early alcohol initiation: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Few studies explored the longitudinal link between early-life secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and later alcohol initiation despite its risk for child behavioral difficulties. We examined the associations of the timing, level, and pattern of SHS exposure from pregnancy to childhood with early alcohol initiation and evaluated the sex differences in these associations.

METHODS

Data were from 16,440 participants of the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study conducted when the children were aged 6 months, 18 months, 3 years, 5.5 years, 8 years, and 12 years. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to identified patterns of SHS exposure. A series of multiple logistic regression were conducted to examine study hypotheses.

RESULTS

Exposure to prenatal SHS was associated with an increased risk of early alcohol initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06, 1.30). Compared with the adolescents with a persistent-low-exposure trajectory, those who exhibited prenatal-high-decreasing (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.35) or persistent-high-exposure (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.45) patterns exhibited increased risks of early alcohol initiation. Those with higher cumulative levels of SHS exposure also exhibited an increased risk of early alcohol initiation (aOR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.04). Sex differences were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Varying timing, levels, and longitudinal patterns of SHS exposure during early life had differential effects on early alcohol initiation, with the effects differing by sex. Targeting SHS exposure while considering the nature of exposure and sex differences could help prevent and curb alcohol use in adolescents.

The impact of smoking and nicotine exposure during pregnancy on fetal nephrogenesis: a systematic review

The effect of smoking and nicotine exposure during pregnancy on fetal nephrogenesis is a growing area of research. The objective of this systematic review is to summarise the current evidence in this research field. Our literature search identified a total of 415 articles from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane. After electronic sorting and manual screening, 18 eligible articles were found, 6 being human studies and 12 being animal studies. Articles that did not study nicotine or smoking, did not focus on fetal kidney development, or did not include nicotine or smoking exposure during pregnancy were excluded from the systematic review. The main outcomes of the studies were kidney weight, volume and size, kidney histopathology and morphology, and kidney function. Evidence from human studies identified a reduction in fetal kidney size, volume, and weight in offspring exposed to smoking during pregnancy; and the greatest impact was seen in offspring exposed to >5-10 cigarettes per day. Animal studies investigated kidney histopathology and highlighted kidney injury and microscopic changes in response to nicotine exposure during pregnancy. Further research is required to determine the impact on kidney function. Recreational nicotine use is evolving, and with the increasing use of urine cotinine in the evaluation of nicotine exposure, further research is needed.

The Impact of Prenatal Environmental Tobacco Smoking (ETS) and Exposure on Chinese Children: A Systematic Review

Background: There is considerable evidence to support the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and children's burden of disease. However, the literature on the health outcomes of prenatal ETS exposure among Chinese children has not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Objective: This systematic review examines the currently available evidence and identifies gaps for further research on the health consequences of prenatal ETS exposure on Chinese children. Methods: Following the JBI systematic-scoping review methodological framework, we conducted a computer-aided search of three electronic databases-PubMed, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest to include studies from January 2011 to May 2023 that addressed the health outcomes of Chinese children whose mothers were exposed to ETS at any stage of pregnancy. Furthermore, a methodological quality assessment of the selected articles was conducted using JBI critical appraisal checklists. Results: A total of 30 articles were reviewed, including eleven high-quality studies and nineteen moderate-quality studies. Five main themes, including hypertension, fetal and children's development, behavioural disorders, respiratory outcomes, and "other health outcomes", were encompassed. The majority of the studies showed a positive link between prenatal ETS exposure and an increased risk of preterm birth, and moderate risk of fetal growth restriction. A few studies explored other potential adverse outcomes of ETS, including hypertension, respiratory morbidity, lung function, and asthma in children. Conclusions: The currently available evidence on prenatal ETS exposure in Chinese children has unveiled a wide range of health outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal development, behavioural disorders, and much more. However, Chinese studies in this area are still lacking and a gap still exists in relation to the strength of association between prenatal ETS exposure and some health risks. Efficient anti-smoking policies and smoking cessation programs should be developed to promote maternal and child health. Further research is also needed to provide better evidence in this field.

Associations of household tobacco smoking status with childhood temperament among U.S. preschool-aged children

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the association between household tobacco smoking status and temperament among U.S. 3-5-year-olds.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of 2019-2020 National Survey of Children's Health data (N = 11,100) was conducted. Temperament dimensions of effortful control (characterized by attention focusing), negative affectivity (characterized by anger and soothability), and surgency (characterized by activity level and shyness) were assessed. Weighted ordinal regression models were conducted while adjusting for child and family covariates.

RESULTS

Approximately 13 % of children lived with smokers. Compared to children who did not live with smokers, children living with smokers displayed behaviors of poorer effortful control and were more likely to be easily distracted (AOR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.24-2.04) and less likely to keep working on tasks until finished (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.44-0.71). Children living with smokers displayed behaviors of greater negative affectivity and were at increased odds of being angry or anxious when transitioning between activities (AOR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.13-1.98) and losing their temper when things did not go their way (AOR = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.20-1.96), and were at decreased odds of calming down quickly when excited (AOR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.42-0.70). Children living with smokers displayed behaviors of poorer surgency and were less likely to play well with others (AOR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.45-0.76) and sit still compared to same-aged children (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.44-0.71).

LIMITATIONS

The NSCH uses a cross-sectional survey design; longitudinal associations and objective measures could not be assessed. However, the NSCH is nationally representative and results are generalizable to U.S. 3-5-year-olds.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest household tobacco smoking influences temperament in early childhood. Results signify the need to promote household tobacco cessation.

Systematic braiding of Smoke-Free Home SafeCare to address child maltreatment risk and secondhand smoke exposure: findings from a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) and child maltreatment are preventable threats to child health. Few evidence-based interventions target both SHS and child maltreatment risk. The purpose of this paper is to describe the systematic braiding process of two evidence-based programs to address child SHS in the home and maltreatment perpetration risk, and present results from the formative work and pilot study.

METHODS

The first 4 steps of the systematic braiding process were completed, including the following: (1) the identification of core elements of both programs, (2) the development of an initial draft of the braided curriculum (Smoke-Free Home SafeCare - SFH-SC), (3) an acceptability and feasibility pilot of SFH-SC with caregivers of young children who reported a smoker living in the home (N = 8), and (4) feedback collection on the braided curriculum from SafeCare Providers (N = 9).

RESULTS

Experts identified common pedagogical and theoretical underpinnings for the two programs and braided Smoke-Free Homes: Some Things Are Better Outside into two SafeCare modules. Caregiver feedback from the pilot demonstrated that participants were engaged with SFH-SC and felt supported and comfortable discussing SHS intervention content with the SFH-SC Provider. Caregiver self-reports indicated a slight increase in smoke-free home rules from baseline to follow-up and a notable reduction in parent stress on the Parent Stress Index of 5.9 points (SD = 10.2). SafeCare Provider feedback following intensive review of the curriculum indicated high feasibility for SFH-SC delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Parent and Provider findings suggest SFH-SC is a viable intervention that has potential to reduce the public health impact of SHS and child maltreatment for at-risk families.

PROTOCOL

The protocol for the pilot is not published elsewhere; however, the full protocol for the hybrid trial can be found here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05000632 .

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT, NCT05000632. Registered 14 July 2021, there is not a separate registration number for the pilot.

My quitting stories: A qualitative study exploring Aboriginal women's experiences of smoking cessation and preventing relapse in the context of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Most women who give up smoking during pregnancy relapse to smoking postnatally. Evidence on strategies that are helpful in maintaining smoking cessation during and beyond pregnancy is limited.

AIM

This paper aims to explore Aboriginal women's experiences of quitting smoking, relapsing, and preventing relapse, focusing on the strategies they applied for attaining and maintaining abstinence and the support they received.

METHODS

Qualitative interviews were conducted between October 2020 and June 2021, in urban New South Wales, Australia, with 12 Aboriginal women who either smoked tobacco or quit smoking and had been pregnant in the last five years. Aboriginal Research Assistants recruited participants, participated in data collection and data analysis. Data were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Major themes that emerged from the data include: a) aspiration to be abstinent; b) strong mindset; c) strategies to stay smoke-free; d) supports received; and e) service and policy recommendations. Protecting children from second-hand smoke had salience for the maintenance of abstinence. Having a strong mindset was perceived as a prerequisite to staying smoke-free. Use of multiple coping strategies in combination was frequently expressed. Knowledge about tobacco-related harms, the way nicotine dependence works, and the available support options was empowering and enabled informed decision making and actions around smoking cessation.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative study conducted with 12 Aboriginal women revealed that Aboriginal women employ multiple strategies (cognitive, behavioural and social) to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. The strategies warrant further exploration with different Aboriginal communities across Australia and consideration of inclusion in smoking cessation care.

Average treatment effect of maternal prenatal tobacco smoking on offspring developmental vulnerability in early childhood

BACKGROUND

Early childhood developmental vulnerability has been closely related to the predictors of relatively good health, social and educational outcomes later in adulthood. However, the impacts of prenatal tobacco exposure on childhood developmental vulnerability have been rarely examined. Further, a few of the studies that have investigated maternal prenatal tobacco smoking and child developmental vulnerability have reported mixed results and there are currently no published estimates derived from causal epidemiological methods.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study on the association between maternal prenatal tobacco smoking and developmental vulnerability in children born in Western Australia (WA). De-identified individual-level maternal, infant and birth records were obtained from the Midwives Notification System (MNS), a statutory record of all births in WA. WA register for Developmental Anomalies (WARDA) were also obtained from the WA Data Linkage. Records on early childhood developmental vulnerability at the median age of 5 years were obtained from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). We used a doubly robust estimator to estimate the causal effects.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 64,558 mothers-children's pairs. Approximately 16% of children were exposed to maternal prenatal tobacco smoking. Children exposed to maternal prenatal tobacco smoking were more likely to be classified as developmentally vulnerable/at-risk on the physical health and wellbeing (RR = 1.40, 95%CI:1.36-1.45), social competence (RR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.38-1.47), emotional maturity (RR = 1.34, 95%CI:1.30-1.39), language and cognitive skills (RR = 1.50, 95%CI:1.45-1.54), and communication skills and general knowledge (RR = 1.37, 95%CI:1.33-1.42) domains.

CONCLUSION

Maternal prenatal exposure to tobacco may influence early childhood developmental vulnerability. Early intervention to quit tobacco smoking before becoming pregnant could potentially reduce later childhood developmental vulnerability on multiple domains.

Using mixed methods to establish tobacco treatment acceptability from the perspective of clients and clinicians of antenatal substance use services

Background

Up to 95% of pregnant women with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems also smoke tobacco. Challenging psychosocial circumstances and a lack of targeted tobacco interventions contribute to low rates of prenatal abstinence and more effective treatment strategies are required. This study explores smoking in pregnant clients of AOD treatment services from a consumer and healthcare provider perspective to examine characteristics of behaviour change and the acceptability of evidence-based tobacco treatment strategies. Outcomes will support the design and implementation of a comprehensive tobacco intervention.

Methods

A mixed methods triangulated design was used. Thirteen women who smoked and attended antenatal AOD services in New South Wales, Australia, were interviewed and 28 clinicians from the same services were surveyed. Domains including experiences of tobacco smoking in pregnancy, motivators and barriers to cessation and evidence-based strategies to assist cessation during pregnancy were explored. Interviews were analysed using Iterative Categorization, with interpretation guided by Qualitative Description. Online surveys were analysed descriptively. A convergent-parallel mixed methods analysis was performed.

Results

Women and clinicians agreed that improving baby’s health outcomes was the primary motivation to stop smoking. Negative experiences with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), financial constraints and maternal contraindications restricted its uptake and effectiveness during pregnancy. Both groups agreed that other AOD use, stopping multiple substances concurrently, difficulty coping with stress and the influence of partners who smoke had the biggest impacts on cessation efforts. Clinicians favoured harm-reduction rather than abstinence-based tobacco interventions and women appeared satisfied with reduction efforts. Both views may influence the attainment of prenatal abstinence-based goals. Although previous evidence suggested the contrary, clinicians were willing to encourage simultaneous cessation of tobacco and other substances. Non-judgmental treatment approaches that provide extra support, education and motivation were important for women. Women and clinicians supported use of NRT despite concerns. Financial incentives, counselling, partner support and offering tobacco treatment with antenatal AOD care were considered acceptable treatment options.

Conclusions

NRT, incentives, counselling and partner support could be utilized in a tobacco intervention for pregnant women with substance use concerns. Non-judgmental education, motivation, and provision of NRT including instruction for correct use are important considerations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-022-00337-y.

The association between neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems and tobacco smoke exposure among 3-17 years old children

Children being exposed to tobacco smoke can lead to poor developmental and behavioral problems. We aimed to explore the correlation between neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems (NBPs) and tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) among children aged 3-17 years. In this study, data were obtained from the 2018-2019 U.S. National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Children in the range of 3-17 years old were taken as the research subjects, and their parents were surveyed through questionnaires. TSE status was defined as one of three groups: no tobacco smoke exposure (no TSE), someone smoking but not inside the house (no home TSE), and someone smoking inside the house (home TSE). NBPs mainly included behavioral or conduct problems, intellectual disability, learning disability, speech or other language disorders, and developmental delay. We used the sampling weights provided by the NSCH to weight the data in order to obtain an unbiased population estimate. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were performed to examine the difference of each variable. Logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were carried out to investigate the association between NBPs and TSE. A total of 48,783 children were included in this study, with an average age of 10.1 years. In total 17.9% of all the participants were preschool children, 35.1% were school-age children, and 47.0% were school-age adolescents. More than 85.0% of children lived with no TSE. Over 90.0% of children were healthy in each NBP. Children living with home TSE and no home TSE showed significant adjusted odds ratios (aORs) compared with no TSE in four NBPs besides intellectual disability. The stratified analysis found aORs were higher for NBPs in preschool children compared to the school-age children and school-age adolescents. Male children living with home TSE showed higher aORs in moderate/severe NBP conditions. Our study indicated it is necessary to protect the health of young children from TSE by intervention measures.

Are Brain and Cognitive Reserve Shaped by Early Life Circumstances?

When growing older, many people are faced with cognitive deterioration, which may even amount to a form of dementia at some point in time. Although neuropathological signs of dementia disorders can often be demonstrated in brains of patients, the degree to which clinical symptoms are present does mostly not accurately reflect the amount of neuropathology that is present. Sometimes existent pathology even goes without any obvious clinical presentation. An explanation for this phenomenon may be found in the concept of reserve capacity. Reserve capacity refers to the ability of the brain to effectively buffer changes that are associated with normal aging processes and to cope with pathological damage. A larger reserve capacity has been suggested to increase resilience against age-associated cognitive deterioration and dementia disorders. Traditionally, a division has been made between brain reserve, which is based on morphological characteristics of the brain, and cognitive reserve, which is based on functional characteristics of the brain. The present review discusses the premises that brain and cognitive reserve capacity are shaped by prenatal and early postnatal factors. Evidence is accumulating that circumstances during the first 1,000 days of life are of the utmost importance for the lifelong health of an individual. Cognitive deterioration and dementia disorders may also have their origin in early life and a potentially important pathway by which the early environment affects the risk for neurodegenerative diseases is by developmental programming of the reserve capacity of the brain. The basic idea behind developmental programming of brain and cognitive reserve is explained and an overview of studies that support this idea is presented. The review is concluded by a discussion of potential mechanisms, synthesis of the evidence and relevance and future directions in the field of developmental origins of reserve capacity.

Passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking, secondhand cigarette smoke (SHS) exposure, and e-cigarette use ("vaping") are each associated with increased rates of depressive symptoms and other internalizing mental health disorders. The prevalence of vaping has increased greatly, yet the mental health correlates of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions are as yet to be investigated. This study examined the potential adverse mental health outcomes associated with different tobacco exposures (direct and passive), with a particular focus on the mental health correlates of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions.

METHODS

The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data collected from a sample of 16,173 Wave 4 adults were used to test the hypothesis that secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposure is associated with increased odds of internalizing mental health disorders. Individuals were categorized as exclusive cigarette smokers, exclusive e-cigarette users, cigarette and e-cigarette dual users, exclusive noncombustible tobacco users, secondhand smoke exposed non-users, secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users, and non-users with no current SHS/secondhand e-cigarette aerosol exposure. Adjusted weighted logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between exposure type and internalizing problems as assessed by scores on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs-Short Screener (GAIN-SS), a widely used instrument for assessing mental health problems.

RESULTS

Cigarette smokers (AOR = 2.53, 95% CI: 2.19-2.92), e-cigarette users (AOR = 3.14, 2.41-4.09), dual users (AOR = 3.37, 2.85-4.00), noncombustible tobacco users (AOR = 1.48, 1.01-2.17), SHS exposed non-users (AOR = 1.63, 1.37-1.94), and secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users (AOR = 1.43, 1.03-1.99) were each associated with increased odds of moderate to severe internalizing mental health problems as compared to unexposed non-users. Odds of internalizing problems among SHS and secondhand e-cigarette emissions exposed non-users did not differ (p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study, to our knowledge, to identify an association between recent secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions and mental health problems, and the risk is comparable to that of SHS. Corroboration of this relationship needs further research to explicate directionality and mechanisms underlying this association.

Isolation, marginalisation and disempowerment - understanding how interactions with health providers can influence smoking cessation in pregnancy

Background

Maternal smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious adverse health outcomes for both women and their infants. While smoking in pregnancy has declined over time, it remains consistently higher in women with lower socioeconomic circumstances. Furthermore, fewer women in this group will successfully quit during pregnancy.

Aim

This study explores the barriers to smoking cessation experienced by socially disadvantaged pregnant women and investigates how interactions with health providers can influence their smoking cessation journey.

Methods

Women (either pregnant or birthed in the previous 10 years, who smoked or quit smoking in pregnancy) were recruited from a metropolitan public hospital antenatal clinic in South Australia and community organisations in surrounding suburbs. Seventeen women participated in qualitative semi-structured small focus groups or interviews. The focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.

Findings

Four interconnected themes were identified: 1) smoking embedded in women’s challenging lives and pregnancies, 2) cyclic isolation and marginalisation, 3) feeling disempowered, and 4) autonomy and self-determination. Themes 3 and 4 are characterised as being two sides of a single coin in that they coexist simultaneously and are inseparable. A key finding is a strong unanimous desire for smoking cessation in pregnancy but women felt they did not have the necessary support from health providers or confidence and self-efficacy to be successful.

Conclusion

Women would like improvements to antenatal care that increase health practitioners’ understanding of the social and contextual healthcare barriers faced by women who smoke in pregnancy. They seek improved interventions from health providers to make informed choices about smoking cessation and would like women-centred care. Women feel that with greater support, more options for cessation strategies and consistency and encouragement from health providers they could be more successful at antenatal smoking cessation. If such changes were made, then South Australian practice could align more with best practice international guidelines for addressing smoking cessation in pregnancy, and potentially improve outcomes for women and their children.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04720-0.

Disparities in Neighborhood Characteristics among U.S. Children with Secondhand and Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure

(1) Background: Home tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and negative neighborhood characteristics adversely affect children’s overall health. The objective was to examine the associations of child TSE status and neighborhood characteristics among U.S. school-aged children. (2) Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data including 17,300 U.S. children ages 6–11 years old. We categorized children’s home TSE status into: (a) no TSE: child did not live with a smoker; (b) thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure alone: child lived with a smoker who did not smoke inside the home; and (c) secondhand smoke (SHS) and THS exposure: child lived with a smoker who smoked inside the home. We conducted a series of weighted linear and logistic regression analyses to assess the associations between child TSE status and neighborhood characteristics, adjusting for covariates. (3) Results: Overall, 13.2% and 1.7% of children were exposed to home THS alone and home SHS and THS, respectively. Compared to children with no TSE, children with home THS exposure alone and children with home SHS and THS exposure had a significantly lower total number of neighborhood amenities and children with SHS and THS exposure had a significantly higher total number of detracting neighborhood elements. (4) Conclusions: Children with TSE demonstrate disparities in the characteristics of the neighborhood in which they live compared to children with no TSE. TSE reduction interventions targeted to children with TSE who live in these neighborhoods are warranted.

Effects of prenatal exposure to pyrethroid pesticides on neurodevelopment of 1-year- old children: A birth cohort study in China

Pregnant women have been ubiquitously exposed to pyrethroid pesticides. Previous studies, mainly based on third trimester measurements of maternal urinary pyrethroid metabolites, have reported inconsistent findings in the effects of prenatal pyrethroid exposure on children's neurodevelopmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to clarify if pyrethroid exposure during the entire three trimesters of pregnancy may be associated with deleterious effects on infant neurodevelopmental status, particularly at a high dosage of exposure. We measured maternal urinary concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites in all trimesters of pregnancy and assessed children's neurodevelopment at one year of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the effects of metabolites (3-PBA, 4 F-3-PBA, cis-DBCA) in each trimester on BSID-III composite scores. Logistic regression analyses were applied to predict developmental delay vs non-delayed status (cut-off composite score of below 80 for developmental delay) based on the maternal levels of pyrethroid metabolites. In the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the detection rates of pyrethroid metabolites were 94.7%, 90.7%, and 89.0%; the 50th percentiles of exposure level were 0.24 μg/g, 0.24 μg/g and 0.21 μg/g for 3-PBA, 0.14 μg/g, 0.17 μg/g and 0.15 μg/g for 4 F-3PBA, 0.21 μg/g, 0.25 μg/g and 0.19 μg/g for cis-DBCA respectively. In the second trimester, 3-PBA was inversely associated with Cognition and Language scores [β = -3.34 (95% CI = -6.11, -0.57) and β = -2.90 (95% CI = -5.20, -0.61), respectively], and significantly increased the risk of Cognition and Language developmental delay [OR= 1.64 (95% CI = 1.03, 2.62) and OR = 1.52 (95% CI = 1.06, 2.19), respectively]; cis-DBCA was inversely associated with Adaptive Behavior scores [β = -0.73 (95% CI = -1.27, -0.19)], and significantly increased the risk of Adaptive Behavior developmental delay [OR= 1.11 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.21)]. When the maternal levels of pyrethroid metabolites were stratified into the regression models according to the 90th percentile of exposure, in the first trimester, Cognition and Motor scores were inversely associated with higher cis-DBCA [β = -7.19 (95% CI = -12.97, -1.41) and β = -8.20 (95% CI = -13.35, -3.05), respectively], Language scores were inversely associated with higher 3-PBA [β = -6.01 (95% CI = -10.96, -1.06)]; in the second trimester, Cognition scores were inversely associated with higher cis-DBCA [β = -6.64 (95% CI = -12.51, -0.76)], Language scores were inversely associated with higher 3-PBA [β = -5.17 (95% CI = -10.07, -0.27)] and cis-DBCA [β = -5.40 (95% CI = -10.28, -0.52)]. We concluded that pyrethroid exposure in the first and second trimesters was associated with poorer infants neurodevelopmental outcomes at one year of age, and these effects were particularly pronounced at high levels of pyrethroid exposure.

Comorbidity of ADHD and allergic diseases in early adolescence: The role of parental smoking at home

A growing body of research suggests an association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and allergic disorders, but little work has been done to explore the role of external factors such as parental smoking at home in the development of comorbid ADHD and allergic disorders. This study aimed to examine the association between allergic diseases and ADHD adjusted for exposure to parental smoking at home in early adolescents. We recruited 250 male (41.7%) and 350 female (58.3%) adolescents (mean [SD] age, 13.29 [0.52] years) via chain-referral sampling. Their ADHD symptoms were assessed by the parent proxy-report version of the Chinese Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviours (SWAN) rating scale. Data on the participants' history of clinician-diagnosed allergic diseases, family socio-demographics, and parental smoking habit were collected using a parent-completed questionnaire. Regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of interest. The levels of ADHD symptoms were comparable between allergic and non-allergic participants after controlling for child and family demographics and parental smoking at home. Notably, the risk of probable ADHD was particularly high in participants with food allergies (odd ratio = 4.51, p = 0.011) but not in those with allergic rhinitis after adjusting for parental smoking at home. Our findings suggest that second-hand smoke exposure at home is a potential risk factor underlying the link between ADHD and allergic diseases. Current management guidelines should emphasize the importance of early identification and cessation of tobacco smoke exposure for prevention of comorbidity of ADHD and allergic disorders. Clinical Trial Registration (if any): NA.

Assessing secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke exposure in Canadian infants using questionnaires, biomarkers, and machine learning

BACKGROUND

As smoking prevalence has decreased in Canada, particularly during pregnancy and around children, and technological improvements have lowered detection limits, the use of traditional tobacco smoke biomarkers in infant populations requires re-evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated concentrations of urinary nicotine biomarkers, cotinine and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (3HC), and questionnaire responses. We used machine learning and prediction modeling to understand sources of tobacco smoke exposure for infants from the CHILD Cohort Study.

METHODS

Multivariable linear regression models, chosen through a combination of conceptual and data-driven strategies including random forest regression, assessed the ability of questionnaires to predict variation in urinary cotinine and 3HC concentrations of 2017 3-month-old infants.

RESULTS

Although only 2% of mothers reported smoking prior to and throughout their pregnancy, cotinine and 3HC were detected in 76 and 89% of the infants' urine (n = 2017). Questionnaire-based models explained 31 and 41% of the variance in cotinine and 3HC levels, respectively. Observed concentrations suggest 0.25 and 0.50 ng/mL as cut-points in cotinine and 3HC to characterize SHS exposure. This cut-point suggests that 23.5% of infants had moderate or regular smoke exposure.

SIGNIFICANCE

Though most people make efforts to reduce exposure to their infants, parents do not appear to consider the pervasiveness and persistence of secondhand and thirdhand smoke. More than half of the variation in urinary cotinine and 3HC in infants could not be predicted with modeling. The pervasiveness of thirdhand smoke, the potential for dermal and oral routes of nicotine exposure, along with changes in public perceptions of smoking exposure and risk warrant further exploration.

Does secondhand smoke exposure increase the risk of acute respiratory infections among children aged 0-59 months in households that use clean cooking fuel? A cross-sectional study based on 601 509 households in India

This study examines whether exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) increases the risk of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children aged 0-59 months. Study utilized nationally representative data from National Family Health Survey (2015-2016), which adopted two-stage stratified random sampling. Four mutually exclusive groups based on the type of cooking fuel usage and SHS exposure were created. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistics regression analysis were applied. At the national level, 10.5% prevalence of ARI was reported during 2015-2016. About 47.9% (95%CI 47.7-48.2) of households was exposed to SHS and used solid biomass fuel for cooking. Nearly, 20.7% of households with clean fuel usage was exposed to SHS. Regression analysis suggests that the likelihood of ARI among children who were living in households with solid biomass fuel usage and exposed to SHS was 11% (95%CI 1.06-1.17) greater than children living in households with clean fuel usage with no SHS exposure. Moreover, our results further revealed that the odds of ARI among children living in households with clean fuel but exposed to SHS were 19% (95%CI 1.13-1.25) higher than the children living in the household with no SHS exposure and clean fuel use. Children living in households exposed to SHS are at higher risk of ARI.

Easy Breathing: A Review of the Impact of Air Quality on Pediatric Health Outcomes

Preventable environmental factors such as exposure to poor air quality are predicted to affect 23% of all global deaths. Although there have been efforts to reduce air pollution through federal guidelines for vehicle and industrial emissions, the air in the United States remains far from clean. Children and pregnant women have been identified as high-risk populations who are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of poor air quality. This paper provides an overview of health concerns related to poor air quality, pediatric considerations from pregnancy through childhood, the importance of increased awareness of air quality assessment and prevention in patient encounters, and current advocacy efforts and legislation.

Cotinine as an indicator of fetal exposure to active and passive smoking in pregnant women

Introduction

Within 5 years, the number of pregnant smokers in Poland decreased by 5%. Still, 6% of pregnant women are active and 18% are passive smokers, and 5% smoke and drink alcohol. The study examined the levels of cotinine concentration in the blood of pregnant women and in the umbilical cord blood of their children in relation to the number of cigarettes smoked; the places and persons conducive to exposure of pregnant women to tobacco smoke were determined.

Materials and Methods

The study included 123 women who have entered medical facilities for childbirth during physiological pregnancy, who filled out a questionnaire about their lifestyle. Moreover, venous and umbilical blood was collected from them and their newborns for cotinine evaluation. The nicotine marker was determined by the UPLC/MS/MS analytical method.

Results

When examining the frequency of smoking and exposure to smoke, it was found that 38% of the respondents concealed their smoking status by giving false answers, as shown by the biochemical analysis of the presence of cotinine in the blood. A significant correlation was found between the cotinine levels of exposed and smoking mothers and their babies. Pregnant smokers were in the presence of smokers more often (p = 0.019). Moreover, it was found that the presence of women in the company of smokers who smoked more than 20 cigarettes/day resulted in a significant (p = 0.011) increase of cotinine in the umbilical blood in 31.5% of newborns, higher than the concentration in mothers.

Conclusions

Protecting women from passive smoking requires extensive educational measures. The inclusion of cotinine level assessment in pregnant women in the program of the standard of perinatal examinations should be considered in order to protect children from diseases resulting from the effects of nicotine in the embryonic period.

Children born to women in opioid maintenance treatment: A longitudinal study of child behavioral problems and parenting stress

In the wake of the "opioid epidemic", there is considerable concern regarding potential harmful long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure. Opioid misuse and addiction confer increased exposure to lifestyle stressors and health burdens. Accordingly, it is challenging to disentangle effects of prenatal opioid exposure per se from factors related to maternal stress. In this study, we followed 36 women enrolled in comprehensive opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) program and their children alongside 36 age-matched mother-child dyads from a community sample (COMP) from pregnancy until child-age 8 years. Across five sessions, we used a battery of well-established questionnaires to investigate trajectories of parenting stress and mental health symptoms as well as child behavior problems. The 8-year retention was relatively high (OMT: 72%, COMP: 67%), and the OMT sample remarkably stable and well-functioning, with minimal concomitant illicit drug use. Mixed effects regressions showed significantly different trajectories of child behavior problems (F = 3.8, p = 0.024) and parenting stress (F = 3.1, p = 0.016) in the two groups. Differences in experienced stress were largely explained by more distress specifically related to the parenting role in the OMT group (F = 9.7, p = 0.003). The OMT sample also reported higher psychological distress (F = 15.6, p < 0.001) than the comparison group, but notably few participants presented with problems that warranted clinical intervention. The results underscore the benefits of tailored follow-up of children prenatally exposed to opioids and their families beyond infancy and toddlerhood. Long-term direct effects of prenatal opioid exposure on behavior problems are likely modest, given an otherwise stable caregiving environment conducive to healthy development.

Differential associations of hand nicotine and urinary cotinine with children's exposure to tobacco smoke and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Children's overall tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) consists of both inhalation of secondhand smoke (SHS) and ingestion, dermal uptake, and inhalation of thirdhand smoke (THS) residue from dust and surfaces in their environments.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to compare the different roles of urinary cotinine as a biomarker of recent overall TSE and hand nicotine as a marker of children's contact with nicotine pollution in their environments. We explored the differential associations of these markers with sociodemographics, parental smoking, child TSE, and clinical diagnoses.

METHODS

Data were collected from 276 pediatric emergency department patients (Median age = 4.0 years) who lived with a cigarette smoker. Children's hand nicotine and urinary cotinine levels were determined using LC-MS/MS. Parents reported tobacco use and child TSE. Medical records were reviewed to assess discharge diagnoses.

RESULTS

All children had detectable hand nicotine (GeoM = 89.7ng/wipe; 95 % CI = [78.9; 102.0]) and detectable urinary cotinine (GeoM = 10.4 ng/ml; 95%CI = [8.5; 12.6]). Although hand nicotine and urinary cotinine were highly correlated (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), urinary cotinine geometric means differed between racial groups and were higher for children with lower family income (p < 0.05), unlike hand nicotine. Independent of urinary cotinine, age, race, and ethnicity, children with higher hand nicotine levels were at increased risk to have discharge diagnoses of viral/other infectious illness (aOR = 7.49; 95%CI = [2.06; 27.24], p = 0.002), pulmonary illness (aOR = 6.56; 95%CI = [1.76; 24.43], p = 0.005), and bacterial infection (aOR = 5.45; 95%CI = [1.50; 19.85], p = 0.03). In contrast, urinary cotinine levels showed no associations with diagnosis independent of child hand nicotine levels and demographics.

DISCUSSION

The distinct associations of hand nicotine and urinary cotinine suggest the two markers reflect different exposure profiles that contribute differentially to pediatric illness. Because THS in a child's environment directly contributes to hand nicotine, additional studies of children of smokers and nonsmokers are warranted to determine the role of hand nicotine as a marker of THS exposure and its potential role in the development of tobacco-related pediatric illnesses.

Decreased head circumference at birth associated with maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy on the Japanese prospective birth cohort study

Maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy impairs fetal body size, including head circumference (HC) at birth; however, the mechanism still remains unclear. This analysis using a large prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of maternal tobacco exposure on their offspring's HC and the relationship with placental weight ratio (PWR) and placental abnormalities. Parents-children pairs (n = 84,856) were included from the 104,065 records of the Japan Environmental and Children's Study. Maternal perinatal clinical and social information by self-administered questionnaires, offspring's body size, and placental information were collected. Data were analyzed with binominal logistic regression analysis and path analysis. Logistic regression showed significantly elevated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (1.653, 95% CI 1.387-1.969) for the impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on their offspring's smaller HC at birth. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the non-smoking group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC. Path analysis showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased the offspring's HC directly, but not indirectly via PWR or placental abnormalities. The quitting smoking during pregnancy group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC than the non-smoking group, suggesting that quitting smoking may reduce their offspring's neurological impairment even after pregnancy.

Prenatal Exposure to Tobacco and Alcohol Alters Development of the Neonatal Auditory System

Prenatal exposures to alcohol (PAE) and tobacco (PTE) are known to produce adverse neonatal and childhood outcomes including damage to the developing auditory system. Knowledge of the timing, extent, and combinations of these exposures on effects on the developing system is limited. As part of the physiological measurements from the Safe Passage Study, Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) and Transient Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) were acquired on infants at birth and one-month of age. Research sites were in South Africa and the Northern Plains of the U.S. Prenatal information on alcohol and tobacco exposure was gathered prospectively on mother/infant dyads. Cluster analysis was used to characterize three levels of PAE and three levels of PTE. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted for newborn and one-month-old infants for ABR peak latencies and amplitudes and TEOAE levels and signal-to-noise ratios. Analyses controlled for hours of life at test, gestational age at birth, sex, site, and other exposure. Significant main effects of PTE included reduced newborn ABR latencies from both ears. PTE also resulted in a significant reduction of ABR peak amplitudes elicited in infants at 1-month of age. PAE led to a reduction of TEOAE amplitude for 1-month-old infants but only in the left ear. Results indicate that PAE and PTE lead to early disruption of peripheral, brainstem, and cortical development and neuronal pathways of the auditory system, including the olivocochlear pathway.

Correlation Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Dental caries is a long-standing oral health problem for children all over the world. The available evidence shows that the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood caries is still controversial. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether there was a correlation of prenatal smoking and dental caries in children.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for observational studies assessing the relationship between maternal smoking during the pregnancy and childhood caries. According to the predesigned eligibility criteria and items, studies selection, and data extraction were conducted, respectively. The effect estimates were pooled using a fixed-effect model or a random-effect model. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adopted to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. All analyses were carried out through Stata 12.0 software.

Results: Our systematic review included a total of 11 studies, of which 6 cross-sectional studies and 3 longitudinal studies were included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled estimates indicated maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with dental caries in children both in cross-sectional studies (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.47–1.67) and longitudinal studies (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.48). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the overall effect estimates were robust.

Conclusions: There is a significant correlation of maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood caries. However, the causal relationship between them cannot be determined. More prospective and extensive studies on this theme is needed for verification. Even so, it is necessary for pregnant women and women of reproductive age to quit smoking. Strategies must be developed to raise public awareness about the impact of prenatal smoking on children's oral health.

Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Temperament among U.S. Children 0-5 Years Old

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the association between tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and temperament among children 0-5 years old overall and within age groups: 0-2 and 3-5 years.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the 2017-2018 NSCH (N = 14,345). TSE status was defined as whether children lived with a smoker who: does not smoke inside the home (no home TSE) or smokes inside the home (home TSE). We conducted logistic regression analyses while controlling for covariates.

RESULTS

Overall, 12.5% of children lived with a smoker with no home TSE and 1.1% had home TSE. Children with home TSE were at increased odds to not always: be affectionate and tender (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.18-2.58), show interest and curiosity (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.23-2.68), and smile and laugh (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.13-2.77) than those with no TSE. Among 0- to 2-year-olds, those with home TSE were more likely to not always be affectionate and tender (aOR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.04-3.74). Among 3- to 5-year-olds, those who lived with a smoker with no home TSE were more likely to not always: bounce back quickly (aOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.05-1.40) and smile and laugh (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03-1.54), and those with home TSE were more likely to not always: show interest and curiosity (aOR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.40-3.59) and smile and laugh (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.43-4.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco smoke-exposed children were at increased odds of not always demonstrating positive early childhood temperament behaviors, with 3- to 5-year-olds having more pronounced odds.

Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and neurological impairment at 10 years of age among children born extremely preterm: a prospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between prenatal tobacco smoke exposure and neurological impairment at 10 years of age among children born extremely preterm (<28 weeks of gestation).

DESIGN

The Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn (ELGAN) Study, a prospective cohort.

SETTING

Ten-year follow-up of extremely preterm infants born at 14 US hospitals between 2002 and 2004.

METHODS

Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure was defined as a mother's report at enrolment of active (i.e. maternal) and passive smoking during pregnancy. Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations was used. Models adjusted for mother's age, race/ethnicity, education, insurance, pre-pregnancy body mass index, US region, multiple gestation and infant's sex; and in sensitivity analysis, gestational age at delivery and clinical subtype of preterm birth, given their classification as intermediate and non-confounding variables.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Neurological impairment at 10 years, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment.

RESULTS

Of 1200 ELGAN study survivors, 856 were assessed at 10 years of age with neurological outcomes, of whom 14% (118/856) had active tobacco exposure during pregnancy and 24% (207/852) had passive tobacco exposure. Compared with children who were not exposed prenatally to tobacco, children exposed to active tobacco use during pregnancy had a higher risk of epilepsy (14% versus 5%; adjusted relative risk: 1.68, 95% CI 1.45-1.92). This risk remained after adjustment for gestational age at delivery and clinical subtype of preterm birth. Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure was not associated with other assessed neurological outcomes, including cerebral palsy and multiple measures of cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Among children born extremely preterm, prenatal active tobacco smoke exposure was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy at 10 years of life.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Among infants born before 28 weeks of gestation, prenatal active tobacco smoke exposure was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy at 10 years of life.

Evolution of perinatal outcomes and sociodemographic variables in Chile (1996-2017)

The evolution of birth weight (BW), birth length (BL), and gestational age at delivery (GAD) and their correlation with various maternal sociodemographic variables were studied in Chilean newborns from years 1996 to 2017. A slight decrease in the mean values of these perinatal outcomes was observed; however, their risk sub-categories increased significantly, especially for GAD, indicating an important deterioration. GAD was strongly correlated with BW and BL. In the contingency tables, all sociodemographic variables, with the exemption of sex, had a higher proportion of early term 37-38-week and late pre-term 34-36-week newborns in women with a higher socioeconomic level; the strongest positive association was observed between mother's years of education and the GAD risk category 37-38 weeks. Different maternal factors, such as a higher frequency of cesarean sections, including either obesity presence or smoking habit, could be influencing presented results.

Longitudinal association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and behavioral problems in children from ages 5 to 9

Few studies have assessed the cumulative effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS¹) in relation to children's neurobehavioral problems over time. We assessed the longitudinal associations between ETS exposure at age 5 and behavioral problems at ages 5, 7, and 9 using the Ewha Birth and Growth Cohort, in Seoul, Korea. Children with available urinary cotinine levels at age 5 and one or more behavioral problem scores measured with the Korean Version of Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL²) at age 5, 7, and 9 were included in the study. Those whose mothers smoked during pregnancy were excluded, and a total of 179 children were included in the analysis. A linear mixed-model analysis using a REPEATED statement was conducted to assess whether ETS exposure was associated with the total, internalizing, and externalizing behavioral problem scores of the CBCL. The group with higher levels of cotinine showed continuously higher total and external behavioral problem scores from ages 5 to 9, which was seen after adjusting for preterm birth, father's education level, and television watching time. In addition, the difference in the total and external behavioral problem scores between the higher and lower cotinine groups at age 5 was statistically significant after a Bonferroni correction (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively), even though the fixed effect of cotinine level was almost but not statistically significant (p = 0.07 and 0.08, respectively). The results of this longitudinal cohort study provide evidence regarding the negative effects of ETS exposure in early childhood and their behavioral problems over time. This study supports the strengthening of anti-smoking policies used in educational interventions for parents, in order to reduce early ETS exposure in children.

The association between secondhand smoke and childhood asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure can trigger asthma exacerbations in children. Different studies have linked increased asthma symptoms and even deaths in children with SHS, but the risk has not been quantified uniformly across studies. We aimed to investigate the role of SHS exposure as a risk factor of asthma among children.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from June 1975 to 10 March 2020. We included cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies reporting odds ratio (OR) or relative risk estimates and confidence intervals of all types of SHS exposure and childhood asthma.

RESULTS

Of the 26 970 studies identified, we included 93 eligible studies (42 cross-sectional, 41 cohort, and 10 case-control) in the meta-analysis. There were significantly positive associations between SHS exposure and doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR = 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-1.28), wheezing (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.23-1.32) and asthma-like syndrome (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.34-1.64). The funnel plots of all three outcomes skewed to the right, indicating that the studies generally favor a positive association of the disease with tobacco exposure. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that younger children tended to suffer more from developing doctor-diagnosed asthma, but older children (adolescents) suffered more from wheezing. There was no evidence of significant publication or small study bias using Egger's and Begg's tests.

CONCLUSION

The results show a positive association between prenatal and postnatal secondhand smoking exposure and the occurrence of childhood asthma, asthma-like syndrome, and wheezing. These results lend support to continued efforts to reduce childhood exposure to secondhand smoke.

Prenatal smoking and the risk of early childhood caries: A prospective cohort study

Introduction

Dental caries is a chronic complex disease of multifactorial etiology that affects a quarter of U.S. children. This study evaluated the association between prenatal smoking and offspring caries experience and used a negative control exposure analysis to assess if the association is causal.

Methods

Data from 1429 mother-offspring participants of the 1991/92 Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children conducted in Bristol, England were analyzed. Prenatal smoking (yes v. no) and quantity smoked (none, <half pack, ≥half pack) were self-reported while offspring caries experience was determined by clinical oral examinations at 3 time points. Discrete time hazards regression estimated hazard odds of first occurrence of offspring caries, and substituted partner smoking for prenatal smoking in a negative control exposure analysis.

Results

Overall, 22% smoked during pregnancy while 36% of partners smoked. The adjusted hazard odds of first occurrence of caries experience in the offsprings of prenatal smokers compared to the offsprings of non-smokers was 1.42 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.86). Relative to non-smoking, smoking <half pack/day and ≥half pack/day during pregnancy were associated with higher adjusted hazard odds of offspring caries experience: 1.10 (95% CI: 0.79, 1.54) and 1.38 (0.98, 1.95) respectively. Partner smoking was associated with 33% (95% CI: 1.07, 1.65) higher adjusted hazard odds of first offspring caries experience occurrence.

Conclusions

Prenatal and partner smoking appear associated with greater offspring caries experience. The positive association with partner smoking suggests either a shared genetic predisposition or unmeasured common environmental factors with the mother as opposed to a direct biological effect of the intrauterine environment.

Associations between Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Behavioral Problems in Preschool Japanese Children

Background

A few studies related to pediatric behavior have measured secondhand smoke exposure in children using valid objective biochemical markers. We aimed at investigating the associations between current and cumulative exposure to tobacco smoke, measured both subjectively and objectively, and behavioral problems in children.

Methods

Subjects were 437 Japanese children, aged 3–6 years in 2006. Exposure to tobacco smoke was evaluated from a parent-administered questionnaire and urinary cotinine concentrations. The cotinine concentrations were measured using first-void morning urine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Children's behaviors were assessed by the parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Results

After multiple adjustments for covariates, higher total difficulty scores of children were significantly associated with the larger number of cigarettes parents smoke, more smokers among cohabiters, and more pack-years of exposure to tobacco smoke from parents and cohabiters. The total difficulty scores were 8.72, 9.09, and 10.52, respectively, for children in the low, middle, and high tertiles of creatinine-corrected cotinine concentrations in urine (p=0.002, trend p=0.005). There was no substantial sex difference in the positive associations between passive smoking and the SDQ scores.

Conclusions

Exposure to tobacco smoke in early childhood may be involved in the development of pediatric behavioral problems. The importance of reducing the exposure of children to tobacco smoke, particularly in the home, was further emphasized for the prevention of psychological and behavioral problems in childhood.

Exposure to Tobacco, Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Nicotine in Pregnancy: A Pragmatic Overview of Reviews of Maternal and Child Outcomes, Effectiveness of Interventions and Barriers and Facilitators to Quitting

The aim of this review of reviews was to collate the latest evidence from systematic reviews about the maternal and child health outcomes of being exposed to tobacco and nicotine during pregnancy; the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce these exposures, and barriers to and facilitators of smoking cessation during pregnancy. Two databases were searched to obtain systematic reviews published from 2010 to 2019. Pertinent data from 76 articles were summarized using a narrative synthesis (PROSPERO reference: CRD42018085896). Exposure to smoke or tobacco in other forms during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications and adverse health outcomes for children exposed in-utero. Counselling interventions are modestly effective, while incentive-based interventions appear to substantially increase smoking cessation. Nicotine replacement therapy is effective during pregnancy but the evidence is not conclusive. Predictors and barriers to smoking cessation in pregnancy are also discussed. Smoking during pregnancy poses substantial risk to mother's and child's health. Psychosocial interventions and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) appear to be effective in helping pregnant women quit smoking. Barriers to smoking cessation must be identified and steps taken to eradicate them in order to reduce smoking among pregnant women. More research is needed on smoking cessation medications and e-cigarettes.

Reducing Tobacco Smoke Exposure in High-Risk Infants: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a hospital-initiated intervention to reduce tobacco smoke exposure in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized, controlled trial compared motivational interviewing plus financial incentives with conventional care on infant urine cotinine at 1 and 4 months' follow-up. Mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (N = 360) who reported a smoker living in the home were enrolled. Motivational interviewing sessions were delivered in both the hospital and the home. Financial incentives followed session attendance and negative infant cotinine tests postdischarge.

RESULTS

The intervention effect on infant cotinine was not significant, except among mothers who reported high baseline readiness/ability to protect their infant (P ≤ .01) and mothers who completed the study within 6 months postdischarge (per protocol; P ≤ .05). Fewer mothers in the motivational interviewing plus financial incentives condition were smoking postdischarge (P ≤ .01). More mothers in the motivational interviewing plus financial incentives group reported a total home and car smoking ban at follow-up (P ≤ .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Motivational interviewing combined with financial incentives reduced infant tobacco smoke exposure in a subset of women who were ready/able to protect their infant. The intervention also resulted in less maternal smoking postpartum. More robust interventions that include maternal and partner/household smoking cessation are likely needed to reduce the costly effects of tobacco smoke exposure on children and their families.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01726062.

The Incentives to Quit tobacco in Pregnancy (IQuiP) protocol: piloting a financial incentive-based smoking treatment for women attending substance use in pregnancy antenatal services

INTRODUCTION

While tobacco smoking prevalence is falling in many western societies, it remains elevated among high-priority cohorts. Rates up to 95% have been reported in women whose pregnancy is complicated by other substance use. In this group, the potential for poor pregnancy outcomes and adverse physical and neurobiological fetal development are elevated by tobacco smoking. Unfortunately, few targeted and effective tobacco dependence treatments exist to assist cessation in this population. The study will trial an evidence-based, multicomponent tobacco smoking treatment tailored to pregnant women who use other substances. The intervention comprises financial incentives for biochemically verified abstinence, psychotherapy delivered by drug and alcohol counsellors, and nicotine replacement therapy. It will be piloted at three government-based, primary healthcare facilities in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, Australia. The study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the treatment when integrated into routine antenatal care offered by substance use in pregnancy antenatal services.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study will use a single-arm design with pre-post comparisons. One hundred clients will be recruited from antenatal clinics with a substance use in pregnancy service. Women must be <33 weeks' gestation, ≥16 years old and a current tobacco smoker. The primary outcomes are feasibility, assessed by recruitment and retention and the acceptability of addressing smoking among this population. Secondary outcomes include changes in smoking behaviours, the comparison of adverse maternal outcomes and neonatal characteristics to those of a historical control group, and a cost-consequence analysis of the intervention implementation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Protocol approval was granted by Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference 17/04/12/4.05), with additional ethical approval sought from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (Reference 1249/17). Findings will be disseminated via academic conferences, peer-reviewed publications and social media.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (Ref: ACTRN12618000576224).

Interventions for pregnant women who use tobacco and other substances: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of tobacco smoking in pregnancy remains elevated in some disadvantaged populations of women. One group is those who use alcohol and/or other psychoactive substances during pregnancy, with tobacco use prevalence estimates ranging from 71% to 95%. Although effective evidence-based cessation treatments exist, few women with co-occurring substance use problems successfully stop smoking during pregnancy. There is limited information about treatments that specifically target this group and a summary of the available research is required to assist and enhance the development of innovative cessation interventions. This article describes a protocol for a comprehensive review of studies that have trialled behavioural and/or pharmacological tobacco cessation interventions in populations of pregnant women who are nicotine dependent and use alcohol and/or other psychoactive substances.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The review will undertake literature searches in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE and ProQuest databases, as well as the grey literature. Studies of any design methodology will be included if they describe changes to tobacco smoking behaviours in quantitative terms. No restriction on year of publication or published language will apply. Participants include pregnant women of any age, who smoke tobacco, who are seeking or having treatment, or in post-treatment recovery for the use of psychoactive substances. Interventions are any psychological, behavioural or pharmacological treatments used to treat tobacco use. Outcome measures are any that quantitatively report abstinence or reductions in participant tobacco consumption. Key details and tobacco-related outcomes from included studies will be extracted and tabulated before being narratively synthesised. The systematic review protocol has been developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed literature, conference presentations, media and social media.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018108777.

Household Smoking Status and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Toenails of Children

There is limited evidence on the distribution of heavy metals and its association with secondhand smoking (SHS) within Pacific Island children living in New Zealand. Certain heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and aluminum (Al) bioaccumulates in the body and can deteriorate health in both children and adults. Others, such as chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in trace amounts are necessary but become toxic at high levels. Exposure routes of these elements include food, water, and air. The purpose of this study was to identify the distribution of toxic metal concentrations and its possible correlation with SHS within the Pacific Island children. A sub-sample of children within Pacific Island families longitudinal study, at the nine-year phase, who were living in the New Zealand city of Auckland were invited to participate, (n = 278). Toenails were used as a biomarker to determine Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Al concentration using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Reliable and validated questionnaires were used for demographics, lifestyle, and health outcome variables. Significant differences between household smoking status and ethnicity, as well as parents' marital status, were observed (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in heavy metal concentrations in smoking versus non-smoking households. However, Cr, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Ni concentrations were all higher than the required optimal health value in both groups. A high concentration of heavy metals was observed in these children that exceeded the value required for optimal health, although no significant difference in heavy metals with regards to secondhand smoking was observed. SHS was associated with children's ethnicity and parental marital status, but not with household income levels or maternal education.

Antenatal exposure to second hand smoke of non-smoking mothers and growth rate of their infants

Objectives

There is limited evidence on the effect of exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) in non-smoking pregnant mothers and infant health. We assessed the effects of maternal antenatal exposure to SHS on infant growth rate, and secondarily, on birth weight, birth length and head circumference at birth.

Methods

In this prospective cohort, 305 mother-infant pairs were studied. Mothers filled out questionnaires about exposure to SHS in pregnancy at the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy. Infant anthropometry was performed at birth, day 7, and months 1, 2, 4, and 6, postnatally. Linear mixed modeling and linear regression were used to calculate growth rates over the first 6 months. The association between SHS-exposure with growth rate and birth sizes was assessed using multivariate linear regression adjusted for confounders, with SHS as both number of cigarettes and as groups (no exposure, SHS < 23 cigarettes, SHS ≥ 23 cigarettes).

Results

Seventy-three mothers were not exposed and 232 were exposed. SHS exposure (per cigarette) was not related to gain in weight, length, head circumference, and weight for length. However, infants born to mothers exposed to ≥ 23 cigarettes/d had lower head circumference gain (-0.32 mm/m, 95% CI -0.60, -0.03) than those born to non-exposed mothers. SHS exposure (per cigarette) was not related to birth weight, length, and head circumference, but exposure to ≥ 23 cigarettes was related to lower head circumference at birth (-11.09 mm, -20.03, -2.16).

Conclusions

Heavy antenatal exposure to SHS in non-smoking mothers results in reduced neonatal head circumference at birth and head circumference gain over the first 6 months of life. Our findings show no clear relations between exposure to SHS during pregnancy and other markers of neonatal growth and birth size.

Effects of nicotine exposure on murine mandibular development

Nicotine is known to affect cell proliferation and differentiation, two processes vital to proper development of the mandible. The mandible, the lower jaw in mammals and fish, plays a crucial role in craniofacial development. Malformation of the jaw can precipitate a plethora of complications including disrupting development of the upper jaw, the palate, and or impeding airway function. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that in utero nicotine exposure alters the development of the murine mandible in a dose dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, wild type C57BL6 mice were used to produce in utero nicotine exposed litters by adding nicotine to the drinking water of pregnant dams at concentrations of 0 μg/ml (control), 50 μg/ml (low), 100 μg/ml (medium), 200 μg/ml (high) throughout pregnancy to birth of litters mimicking clinically relevant nicotine exposures. Resultant pups revealed no significant differences in body weight however, cephalometric investigation revealed several dimensions affected by nicotine exposure including mandibular ramus height, mandibular body height, and molar length. Histological investigation of molars revealed an increase in proliferation and a decrease in apoptosis with nicotine exposure. These results demonstrate the direct effects of nicotine on the developing mandible outside the context of tobacco use, indicating that nicotine use including tobacco alternatives, cessation methods, and electronic nicotine delivering products may disrupt normal growth and development of the craniofacial complex.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy and Mothers' Subsequent Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Secondhand smoke exposure of non-smoking women during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. However, the available evidence regarding the association between expectant mothers’ secondhand smoke exposure and breastfeeding outcomes remains limited. This systematic review aimed to examine associations between secondhand smoke exposure of nonsmoking women during pregnancy with the initiation, prevalence, and duration or breastfeeding compared to women who were breastfeeding and had not been exposed to secondhand smoke. Women who smoked during pregnancy were excluded. We included case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies with a comparison control group. Medline CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched in January 2017. After screening 2777 records we included eight prospective cohort studies. The risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studies indicated a high risk of outcome assessment blinding. Meta-analysis of two studies established that the odds of discontinuation of any brestfeeding before six months were significantly increased in the secondhand smoke exposed women (pooled odds = 1.07 [95%CI = 1.01, 1.14], two studies, 1382 women). Therefore, secondhand smoke might be associated with discontinuing any breastfeeding before six months. More research is necessary to understand the association between secondhand smoke and the initiation, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding.

Challenges and opportunities for greater tobacco control in Japan

Japan is a high tobacco burden country with over 20 million smokers in 2017. Tobacco control measures in Japan has been criticised as largely inadequate and ineffective despite ratifying the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2004. Numerous factors such as pro-tobacco legislators, regulatory oversight of the primary Japanese tobacco company from the Ministry of Finance and industry interference on the policy-making process in Japan have prevented aggressive tobacco control efforts. Given the intricate challenges in Japan, it is important to develop feasible and effective smoking cessation strategies. In this paper, we have analysed the trends in tobacco prices, sale and smoking prevalence, major tobacco/smoking policies and some of the industry-related challenges that have prevented the development of effective tobacco control measures in Japan. We have emphasised the need for stronger implementation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its MPOWER policy package and to separate the tobacco industry from the tobacco control policymaking process to promote cessation and abstinence from smoking and better sensitisation against exposure to second-hand smoke.

Self-Reported Exposure to ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke), Urinary Cotinine, and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Pregnant Women-The Pilot Study

Background: Exposure to ETS (environmental tobacco smoke) is one of the most toxic environmental exposures. Objective: To investigate the association of ETS with physiological, biochemical, and psychological indicators, as well as with urine antioxidant capacity (AC) and oxidative damage to lipids in a pilot sample of healthy pregnant women. Methods: Exposure to ETS was investigated via a validated questionnaire, and urine cotinine and the marker of oxidative damage to lipids via 8-isoprostane concentrations using an ELISA kit. Urine AC was determined by the spectrophotometric Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method. From a sample of pregnant women (n = 319, average age 30.84 ± 5.09 years) in 80, the levels of cotinine and oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Results: Among the 80 pregnant women, 5% (7.4% confirmed by cotinine) reported being current smokers and 25% reported passive smoking in the household (18.8% confirmed by cotinine). The Kappa was 0.78 for smokers and 0.22 for ETS-exposed nonsmokers. Pregnant women in the ETS-exposed group had significantly reduced AC compared to both the nonsmoker (ETS−) and the smoker groups (p < 0.05). Nonsmokers had significantly lower levels of 8-isoprostane than smokers (p < 0.01) and ETS-exposed nonsmokers (p < 0.05). Correlations between urine levels of cotinine and AC were positive in ETS-exposed nonsmokers. Conclusion: A harmful association of active and passive smoking and oxidative stress parameters among pregnant women has been indicated.

An integrative review: maternal engagement in the neonatal intensive care unit and health outcomes for U.S.-born preterm infants and their parents

Hospitals and perinatal organizations recognize the importance of family engagement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) defines family engagement as "A set of behaviors by patients, family members, and health professionals and a set of organizational policies and procedures that foster both the inclusion of patients and family members as active members of the health care team and collaborative partnerships with providers and provider organizations." In-unit barriers and facilitators to enhance family engagement are well studied; however, less is known specifically about maternal engagement's influence in the NICU on the health of infants and mothers, particularly within U.S. social and healthcare contexts. In this integrative review, we examine the relationship between maternal engagement in the NICU and preterm infant and maternal health outcomes within the U.S. Results from the 33 articles that met inclusion criteria indicate that maternal engagement in the NICU is associated with infant outcomes, maternal health-behavior outcomes, maternal mental health outcomes, maternal-child bonding outcomes, and breastfeeding outcomes. Skin-to-skin holding is the most studied maternal engagement activity in the U.S. preterm NICU population. Further research is needed to understand what types of engagement are most salient, how they should be measured, and which immediate outcomes are the best predictors of long-term health and well-being.

Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates disorders in the parafacial respiratory group region of neonatal rats caused by prenatal cigarette smoke exposure via an antioxidative effect

We previously found that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) ameliorated the dysfunction of central chemoreception caused by prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (CSE). In the present study, we further explored whether the parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) is involved in the protection of central chemoreception by H₂S against prenatal CSE-induced injury. We found that NaHS, a donor of H₂S, restored the expression of Phox2b, which was downregulated by prenatal CSE, in the pFRG region of neonatal rats. NaHS also relieved the prenatal CSE-induced excitatory synapse disturbance in the pFRG region of neonatal rats. Additionally, NaHS prevented the increase in the malondialdehyde level and suppression of antioxidase activity in the pFRG region of neonatal rats induced by prenatal CSE. Furthermore, NaHS prevented the downregulation of the expression of antioxidases and Nrf2 in the pFRG region of neonatal rats with prenatal CSE. These results suggest that H₂S can protect the pFRG of neonatal rats against prenatal CSE-induced injury via an antioxidative effect.