Ventilatory response to added dead space in infants exposed to second-hand smoke in pregnancy

Conclusion: Second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy was associated with a delayed newborn ventilatory response.What is Known:• Maternal cigarette smoking in pregnancy can adversely affect infant respiratory control.• The potential impact of maternal second-hand smoke exposure, however, has not yet been determined.What is New:• We have assessed the ventilatory response to added dead-space (inducing hypercapnia) in newborns with second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy, in infants whose mothers smoked, and in controls (non-smoke exposed).• Maternal second-hand smoke exposure, as well as maternal smoking, during pregnancy was associated with a delayed newborn ventilatory response.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research