Assessment of Weight Gaining in Infants Exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Background and Objective: Infant exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on infant weight. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Participants of this study were ۵۱ exposed and ۵۱ non-exposed infants whose weight was measured in three periods of ۵-۷ days of age and also ۲ and ۴ months of age. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure of infants and their urinary cotinine were assessed by a questionnaire. The urine samples were collected during each follow-up. For data analysis, independent t test, chi-square and Fisherchr('۳۹')s Kappa tests were used. Results: Mean urinary cotinine levels over ۵-۷ days, ۲ months and ۴ months of age in the exposed group was significantly higher than in the non-exposed group (P<۰.۰۰۱). The mean weight of the exposed group was significantly lower than the non-exposed group in ۲ and ۴ months of age (P<۰.۰۰۱(. Conclusion: The results of this study show the weigh loss among infants exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, so we suggest further studies with longer follow-up periods and in all aspects of infants’ life.

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Keywords: Environmental tobacco smoke , Infant , Cotinine