Ear Infections Linked To Tobacco Smoke
PERTH, Australia (UPI) -- Australian researchers say they have found a strong link between childhood ear infections and exposure to tobacco smoke. A study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, found that middle-ear infections were diagnosed at least once in 74 percent of Aboriginal children and 45 percent of non-Aboriginal children. Sixty-four percent of Aboriginal children and 40 percent of non-Aboriginal children were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. The impact of passive smoking in the home on ear infections was reduced if the children also attended day-care. The researchers said families of 100 Aboriginal children and 180 non-Aboriginal children participated in the study, which collected social, demographic, environmental and biological data to investigate the causes of middle-ear infections. The children had regular ear examinations from birth until age 2. If tobacco smoke exposure is eliminated, the researchers estimate ear infections in Aboriginal children would reduce 27 percent and 16 percent in non-Aboriginal children. The study leader, Dr Deborah Lehmann of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, said ear infections are the most common reason that young children see a doctor and can cause lifelong problems including hearing loss.
PERTH, Australia (UPI) -- Australian researchers say they have found a strong link between childhood ear infections and exposure to tobacco smoke. A study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, found that middle-ear infections were diagnosed at least once in 74 percent of Aboriginal children and 45 percent of non-Aboriginal children. Sixty-four percent of Aboriginal children and 40 percent of non-Aboriginal children were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. The impact of passive smoking in the home on ear infections was reduced if the children also attended day-care. The researchers said families of 100 Aboriginal children and 180 non-Aboriginal children participated in the study, which collected social, demographic, environmental and biological data to investigate the causes of middle-ear infections. The children had regular ear examinations from birth until age 2. If tobacco smoke exposure is eliminated, the researchers estimate ear infections in Aboriginal children would reduce 27 percent and 16 percent in non-Aboriginal children. The study leader, Dr Deborah Lehmann of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, said ear infections are the most common reason that young children see a doctor and can cause lifelong problems including hearing loss.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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