Tobacco Smoke and Severe Bronchiolitis in Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Malcolm G. Semple, David C. Taylor-Robinson, Steven Lane, Rosalind L. Smyth
Primary Institution: University of Liverpool
Hypothesis
What demographic, environmental, and clinical factors are associated with severe bronchiolitis in infants admitted to hospital?
Conclusion
Low admission weight and household tobacco smoking increase the risk of severe bronchiolitis in infants admitted to hospital.
Supporting Evidence
- Household tobacco smoking was associated with increased need for oxygen supplementation and mechanical ventilation.
- Low admission weight was a significant predictor of mechanical ventilation.
- Deprivation scores were higher in households where a member smoked compared to non-smoking households.
Takeaway
If babies are born small or live with someone who smokes, they are more likely to get really sick with bronchiolitis.
Methodology
This was a prospective cohort study conducted at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, where infants with bronchiolitis were recruited and their disease severity assessed.
Potential Biases
Exclusion of infants with congenital heart disease may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
Some infants admitted and discharged on weekends were not recruited, which may have led to missing mild cases.
Participant Demographics
378 infants, of whom 299 (79%) were positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95%CI (3.59, 14.03)
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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