Children and Second-hand Smoke

Children Exposed to Smoke

Children exposed to secondhand smoke who are hospitalized with influenza have more severe illness.

compared children (exposed vs. not exposed) hospitalized between 2002 and 2009. Using intensive care, intubation and length of stay in the hospital as severity indicators, researchers found children with chronic conditions and secondhand smoke exposure required more intensive care and had a longer length of stay (10.0 vs. 3.5 hays) than children not exposed.

In addition, children with SHS exposure were 4.7 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care and had a 70% longer length of stay, even when factors including demographics and the presence of or chronic conditions were eliminated as factors. 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309