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Second Hand Smoke and Children | Health Eagle
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Second Hand Smoke and Children

by Tom Seman MD FAAP June 27th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
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My mother-in-law, who babysits my one year-old, smokes. Although she only has her cigarettes outside when my son is there, she smokes in the house the rest of the time. Should I be concerned?

Second hand smoke is increasingly cited as a causative agent for a variety of issues. Children in a household with a smoker are at greater risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma, and ear infections to name a few. Although the greatest risk is when there is active smoking going on while the child is in the house, the literature shows that there is still a high risk when one can still smell smoke in the house or on one’s person. There is no clearly established reason for the connection between SIDS and smoking, although it has been demonstrated in multiple studies.

In regards to ear infections and asthma, the cause is fairly clear. The smoke causes increased congestion and swelling of the back of the throat and in the nose. This, in turn, causes increased post nasal drip resulting in increased irritation of the Eustachian tube that equalizes pressure in the ears. Thus, the tube spasms closed causing fluid to accumulate, which in turn, can become infected. This irritation on the lungs causes increased spasm of the tubes within the lungs, as well as increased mucus secretion. This causes tighter airways, increased difficulty breathing, and increased reactivity leading to coughing, asthma, and potentially pneumonia. So, if at all possible, try to limit the amount of exposure to second hand smoke.

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