The Effect of Parental Smoking on the Severity of Asthma in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Several environmental factors trigger attacks of asthma by immunological and non-immunological mechanisms. Among these factors are cited the passive or second hand smoking (SHS) which has a deleterious effect on the prognosis of childhood asthma and induces a resistance to treatment by corticosteroids. The aim of the present study was to identify parents of children with asthma who are smokers and to explore the possible negative impact of SHS exposure on the disease of asthmatic children.

MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted from February 2012 to February 2013.The study population consisted of children with asthma. The information concerning the patients was collected from their medical records filled out by the physician in a clinical setting in direct communication with the patients, or their parents when it is a little child. A group of 100 children age between 2 and 15 years, with asthma were recruited for the study. The study children were divided into two groups: cases with 28 children from smoking families, and controls with 73 children from non-smoking families. Analysis of the number of respiratory infections, asthma exacerbations per year, and the average number of hospitalization was done in both groups.

RESULTS: Pearson chi2 test was adopted. We showed that smoking among the father was positively correlated with a higher number of hospitalizations for asthma, higher incidence of lower respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations. Similarly, the maternal smoking was positively correlated with a higher number of hospitalizations for asthma, lower respiratory tract infections and asthma exacerbations.

CONCLUSION: Passive smoking causes respiratory illness, asthma, poor growth, neurological disorders in children. To avoid the risk of respiratory and allergic diseases by environmental tobacco smoke, absolute smoking cessation by parents is strongly recommended.