Passive smoking is at risk for tuberculosis in children

The results of a study conducted in South Africa showed an association between passive smoking and the increased risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in children living in a family with tuberculosis patients.

Dr Saskia den Boon of the KNCV Tuberculosis Organization in The Hague, Netherlands, writes in the April issue of Pediatrics: 'TB and smoking are all important medical problems. The possible link between passive smoking and tuberculosis infection in children is an issue of concern in the context of smoking and tuberculosis becoming more prevalent in developing countries. '

His team conducted a community survey of 15% of households in two adjacent suburbs with low to moderate income in Cape Town. All children are under the age of 15 and household members participate in the study.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
(Photo: Forumlabo.com)

All children are tested for turbeculin and if this reaction results in at least 10 mm, it is considered that the child has M. tuberculosis infection. The team also defined passive smoking as living in the same family with at least one adult smoking for at least a year.

A total of 1,344 children participated in the analysis. Of these, 432 (32%) had a positive test of turbeculin reaction and 1,170 children (87%) were classified as passive smokers.

In the group of children living in a household with a smoker, the positive tuberculin reaction test was 34% while in the group of passive non-smokers the ratio was 21%. Statistically, this difference is not significant.

However, there is a significant association between passive smoking and a positive tuberculin test result in 172 households with TB patients. Children living in these families are 5 times more likely to test positive.

Dr Saskia den Boon and colleagues said: ' Passive smoking can affect the child's immune system and increase the risk of TB infection . Exposure to cigarette smoke also alters cellular functions such as reducing the rate of clearance of inhalers and abnormal cell and vascular permeability ".

The researchers also noted that 'in many developing countries where TB is a burden, more and more people smoke, especially women.' The proportion of women smoking is a concern 'because they will make their children exposed to cigarette smoke.'

Hong Linh