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Second-Hand Smoke in Infancy Increases Childhood Infections  

Exposure to second-hand smoke during infancy significantly increases the risk of severe infection requiring hospitalization later in childhood, investigators here have found.

The risk was greatest in the first six months of life, C. Mary Schooling, Ph.D., of the University of Hong Kong, and colleagues reported online in Tobacco Control. Among high-risk infants, such as those who are premature, the increased risk of severe infection persisted until age eight years.

"Reducing household [second-hand smoke] exposure in infants and particularly in more vulnerable infants can reduce infectious morbidity and corresponding hospital use," the authors concluded. "Policy options to protect infants and children from household [second-hand smoke] exposure should be implemented."

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