Smoking during pregnancy linked to higher asthma risk even in adulthood

Written By : Hina Zahid

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2020-05-01 07:58 GMT | Update On 2020-05-01 07:58 GMT

Researchers at University of Helsinki and the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa have found that smoking by pregnant mothers caused roughly an 1.5-fold asthma risk in their offspring at the ages between 31 and 46.The study has been published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Exposure to cigarette smoke is known to increase the risk of asthma in childhood, but research findings on its later effects are scarce.

The study investigated 5,200 individuals born in Northern Finland in 1966. The mother's smoking during pregnancy resulted in an approximately 1.5-fold asthma risk in the child at the ages between 31 and 46. The risk was higher for those who had reported suffering from respiratory symptoms previously or who were carriers of the RUNX-1 susceptibility gene.

"The findings may point to the early vulnerability of the airways and permanent harm caused by cigarettes," says Docent Sanna Toppila-Salmi from the University of Helsinki and the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa.

According to Toppila-Salmi, families planning for a pregnancy and expectant mothers should be encouraged to give up smoking. This would lower the risk of adult-onset asthma in their children and improve the health of the airways.

The study was carried out collaboratively by the University of Helsinki, the University of Oulu and the National Institute for Health and Welfare.

For more details click on the link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01857-2019

Article Source : European Respiratory Journal

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Hina Zahid

Hina Zahid Joined Medical Dialogue in 2017 with a passion to work as a Reporter. She coordinates with various national and international journals and association and covers all the stories related to Medical guidelines, Medical Journals, rare medical surgeries as well as all the updates in the medical field. Email: editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

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Smoking during pregnancy linked to higher asthma risk even in adulthood

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