Background: The predisposition of cigarette smokers for the development of respiratory infections, including influenza, have been well documented. As well, those exposed to side stream smoke are prone to viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory tract.
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate whether the prevalence of smoking parents is higher among children with respiratory tract infections, including influenza, in comparison to the general population.
Material and methods: Observational, cohort study. The authors surveyed a cohort of patients and their families, hospitalized in the Paediatric University Hospital in Warsaw during 2018 influenza season. Patients were diagnosed with influenza (using PCR) or other respiratory tract infections. A questionnaire on smoking habits was performed.
Results: Overall, 72 patients were included in the study, median age 2 years and 9 months (IQR: 1.4 - 7.2), influenza was diagnosed in 43% (n= 31) of patients. The percentage of regularly smoking parents in the whole cohort amounted to 33.3% (44 of 132) and was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the general population (22.7%), whereas in the subgroup with influenza and non-influenza infections it reached 32.2% and 34.2%, respectively.
Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking parents of children with acute respiratory tract infections is higher than in the general population: exposing children to tobacco smoke is one of the risk factors for acquiring influenza and others respiratory tract infections. Quitting smoking can decrease the risk of infectious diseases.
Keywords: children; infections; influenza; side stream smoking; tobacco.
© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.