Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
23 January 2014 09:45
Researchers have warned over the dangers of smoking in the car with children who suffer asthma
Asthmatic children are more likely to be readmitted to hospital within a year of being first taken into hospital with the condition if they are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or in the car, research has revealed.
A study, published in the journal Pediatrics, suggests cutting down on exposure to tobacco smoke may not only reduce the number of hospital admissions of children with asthma, but also will help people wanting to give up smoking.
The research underlines the importance of asthma travel insurance for children suffering the condition before jetting off on holiday.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Children's Hospital measured the levels of cotinine in the blood and saliva of more than 600 children.
Cotinine is produced when the body breaks down nicotine, and helps scientists gauge exposure to tobacco.
"The ability to measure serum and salivary cotinine levels presents the possibility of an objective measure that can be obtained when a child is seen in the emergency department or in the hospital and may be used to predict future hospitalizations," Robert Kahn, MD, MPH, associate director of general and community paediatrics at Cincinnati Children's and senior author of the study, said.
"Such a measure for exposure to tobacco smoke could be used to target specific interventions at caregivers of those children before discharge from the hospital. Several interventions, including parental counselling and contact with the primary care physician, could be adopted in clinical practice."
The research forms part of the Greater Cincinnati Asthma Risks Study, which aims to identify the cause of hospital readmission, especially for children in low income and minority households.
The study examined children between one-year-old and 16-years-old admitted to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center between August 2010 and October 2011.
Levels of serum and salivary cotinine were taken during the time in hospital and their primary caregivers were asked about this child's exposure to tobacco. All the children were then monitored for at least 12 months to see if they were readmitted to hospital.
While the researchers found no correlation between testaments of primary caregivers to tobacco exposure and readmission, they did find that children with measurements of cotinine in the blood and saliva were twice as likely to be readmitted to hospital than those that were not exposed.
18 April 2019
Going away with your children? Beat the stress of travelling with your family with these great travel tips. Here's what you need to know if you're travelling with kids this Easter.
[more...]
16 April 2019
Heading to Madrid? Here's our guide to six must-see places you should visit in the Spanish capital, from food markets to fine art and plenty in between.
10 April 2019
Experience the magic of Madrid's Fiesta de San Isidro 2019! Discover where to stay, what to eat and what to see as you explore one of Spain's greatest festivals.
Experience Seville's intoxicating Feria de Abril and discover Andalucía's most famous festival! Here's your ultimate guide to La Feria.
01 April 2019
Songkran is Thailand's famous New Year's festival - and the world's biggest water fight. Here's everything you need to know before you plan your trip.
Travelling to Thailand? Learn the important local traditions and cultures to ensure you act respectfully in 'The land of a thousand smiles.'
Travelling overseas with young children? Make going through the airport easy and stress-free by following these top tips for surviving the airport with kids when flying.
25 March 2019
Discover the best places to learn to scuba dive! Check out our list of top dive locations around the world that are perfect for scuba diving beginners.
Looking for some late-season skiing? Here are some of the best places for spring skiing in Europe where you can enjoy reliable snow cover.
19 March 2019
Looking for adventure? Create your perfect Scandinavian weekend with these alternative city break ideas.
Lower your blood pressure with these fresh, healthy foods you can add to your diet.
02 March 2019
A Flybe flight was forced to abort take-off due to the cabin filling with "smoke" while it was accelerating along the runway at Exeter Airport.