Tobacco smoke in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Exposure to tobacco smoke has been not evaluated in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We evaluate the association of in utero smoking (IUS) and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) with the respiratory events of BPD and non-BPD children. Two hundred sixty-two children born before 35 weeks of gestational age (GA) and regularly followed up in our regional network for preterms were enrolled. They were paired according to their BPD status, their gestational age and birth weight (131 children with BPD and 131 without BPD, 28 mean weeks GA; mean weight 1000 g). Respiratory data were obtained prospectively during their first 2 years of life. A complementary questionnaire was completed by the parents about their child’s respiratory health at the age of 2, their home environment, and tobacco status. IUS concerned 12.6 %; ETS, 48.8 % (67 % in BPD children treated with oxygen at home). No further influence on respiratory outcome could be found by exposure to intrauterine smoke or extrauterine tobacco smoke in this patient sample.

Conclusion: IUS and ETS exposures are as high in preterm children as in a general pediatric population. The highest exposure occurs among BPD infants treated with oxygen at home.