Health effects of passive smoking in adolescent children.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of passive smoking on health in adolescent schoolchildren by questionnaire, spirometry and laboratory investigations.


METHODS
Two schools in the Vanderbijlpark area.


METHODS
Seven hundred and twenty-six high-school children of average age 16 years.


METHODS
Lung function, serological abnormality or historical (i.e. questionnaire) evidence of ill health.


RESULTS
The prevalence of respiratory illness before and after 2 years, respiratory symptoms, earache over the past year, low birth weight and learning difficulties were found to be significantly increased in the children exposed to parenteral smoke in the home, especially those exposed to maternal smoking. Spirometric and laboratory parameters, however, were not affected by passive smoking.
Richards
G A
GA
Department of Medicine, Johannesburg Hospital.
Terblanche
A P
AP
Theron
A J
AJ
Opperman
L
L
Crowther
G
G
Myer
M S
MS
Steenkamp
K J
KJ
Smith
F C
FC
Dowdeswell
R
R
van der Merwe
C A
CA
Stevens
K
K
Anderson
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D008297:Male; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013019:South Africa; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014810:Vitamin E; D003367:Cotinine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid