Effect of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on pulmonary function and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy and asthmatic children

Environmental tobacco smoke [ETS] exposure is a well-known hazard for children we describe here the relationship between ETS exposure as assessed by urinary cotinine excretion and both lung function tests and asthma markers in children with asthma. 80 children 5-14 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of asthma were assessed. Pulmonary function, asthma biomarkers [eosinophilic count, eosinophilic cationic protein and total serum IgE] and urinary cotinine, were measured.Urinary cotinine concentration in asthmatic children was significantly correlated with symptoms score, eosinophilic count, eosinophilic cationic protein and total serum IgE. It was negatively correlated with both FVC and FEV1. Pulmonary function tests were significantly reduced in ETS exposed asthmatic children when compared to non exposed asthmatics. Measurement of urinary cotinine levels provides further evidence of association between ETS exposure and pulmonary morbidity in children with asthma. Persistent efforts are needed to stop exposure of both asthmatic and healthy children to environmental tobacco smoke