Childhood Smoke Exposure Tied to Development of COPD

Childhood exposure to tobacco smoke may increase girls’ risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as adults, a new study found. 

Women who were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke as children were twice as likely to have COPD as those not exposed, although the correlation was not statistically significant in men. 

"Although active smoking is still the most important risk factor for COPD, reduction of childhood environmental tobacco smoke exposure could contribute to the prevention of COPD and respiratory symptoms," they concluded.

Researchers used data from the Bergen COPD Cohort Study, conducted from 2006 to 2009, analyzing 433 patients with COPD and 325 without. Of the participants, 61% reported at least 1 year of smoke exposure as children.  Researchers adjusted for age, smoking status, and pack-years smoked, and found that among women, those with smoke exposure as children were more likely to have COPD. 

-Michael Potts