Children with a common genetic variant who were exposed to maternal cigarette smoke in the womb were significantly more likely to have asthma, wheezing and emergency room visits due to breathing problems than other similar children, according to a study in the Aug. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Frank D. Gilliland, M.D., Ph.D., professor of preventive medicine, and colleagues conducted their study with 2,950 school children in 4th, 7th and 10th grades in Southern California. They asked parents about maternal smoking while pregnant and about respiratory health problems currently or previously experienced by children.
The children were participants in the expansive Children's Health Study, led by USC researchers. Scientists have monitored levels of major pollutants in 12 Southern California communities since 1993 while carefully following the respiratory health of thousands of children in these areas.
Previous research has shown that environmental tobacco smoke impairs lung growth and development in children, and recent reports have suggested exposure in the womb is associated with deficits in lung function at birth that may persist into young adulthood.
This study pinpoints for the first time a group of children who appear genetically susceptible to the effects of smoke from their very beginnings.
"The study illustrates that experiences during the period in the womb are very important for long term health, especially among genetically susceptible children, and emphasize the importance of pregnant women not smoking," Gilliland said.
Researchers collected cell samples from the mouth of each child and analyzed their DNA. They looked for variation in
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Contact: Jon Weiner
Jonweine@usc.edu
323-442-2830
University of Southern California
16-Aug-2002