The impact of passive smoking on asthma control in children

The aim of this study was to determine whether passive smoking aff ects spirometry parameters and allergy blood test results in children. A retrospective case control study was conducted in the allergy clinic of the Department of Pediatrics, Split University Hospital Center, during the 2011-2013 period. The study included 60 children with asthma, aged between 5 and 18, that presented to the allergy clinic with their parents. Children were divided into two groups: 36 children whose household members smoked and 24 children whose household members did not smoke. We analyzed spirometric parameters before and after bronchodilatator test with two salbutamol 100 micrograms/dose inhalations (Ventolin); allergy blood tests; and eosinophil count in nasal swab. All necessary data were collected by a questionnaire fi lled out by the parents and accessing the patient electronic medical records. There was no statistically signifi cant diff erence in spirometry parameters, eosinophil count in nasal swab and allergy blood tests between the group of children whose household members smoked and the control group. The number of household smokers showed no signifi - cant eff ect on the aforementioned values either. ECP concentration showed a statistically signifi cant diff erence according to the household members smoking within and outside the household (P=0.009). A positive correlation was found between the number of daily smoked cigarettes and relative eosinophil count (P=0.048). We found no connection between passive smoking and the number of allergens in children.

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