Effects of Paternal Tobacco Smoking on Children's Pulmonary Function and Prevalence of Asthma and Lifetime Wheezing Episode

Song, Dae Jin; Kim, Hyung Jin; Park, Sang Hee; Choung, Ji Tae

Abstract

PURPOSE: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an important worldwide public health issue. Although exposure to maternal smoking has constantly been reported to have a strong association with reduced lung function and adverse respiratory health effect, the effects of paternal smoking have yielded inconstant results.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study including 931 school-aged children whose mothers were never smokers. Current and past exposure to paternal smoking was assessed by self-administered questionnaire completed by parents or guardians of the students. Standardized pulmonary function tests were performed according to American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines. Standard linear and logistic regression techniques were used to estimate the effects of paternal smoking on lung function and the prevalence of asthma or lifetime wheezing episodes, with adjustment for important confounding factors.
RESULTS
Exposure to paternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma (odd ratio [OR], 2.1: 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 3.9) and lifetime wheezing episodes (OR, 1.6: 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.4). However, current and past exposure to paternal smoking except during pregnancy was not associated with asthma and lifetime wheezing episodes. Current exposure to paternal smoking was associated with decreases in lung function parameters, especially in forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) (-73+/-32 mL). Past exposure to paternal smoking did not show significant effects on children's lung function.
CONCLUSION
Current exposure to paternal smoking is associated with decreased lung function and exposure to paternal smoking during pregnancy increases the prevalence of asthma and lifetime wheezing episodes in school-aged children.