Evaluation of Children with Asthma Followed Up at Our Clinic in Terms of Exposure

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate exposure to secondhand smoking in the prenatal and postnatal period through parents in pediatric patients under the age of five years diagnosed with asthma who were followed up at our clinic. Methods: To determine the demographic characteristics of the patients and passive smoking exposure, the study form, which included smoking exposure histories through their parents during the prenatal, breastfeeding period and first year of life, frequency of attacks, number of attacks requiring hospitalization, and the treatments they were receiving, was filled by the mother or father. Results: Of the 52 patients, six (11.5%) were exposed to smoking during the intrauterine period, six (11.5%) during the breastfeeding period, and 12 (23%) were currently exposed to smoking through their mothers. For smoking mothers, the age of onset of smoking was 13–20 (mean: 17.3 ± 2.49) years. The mean daily amount of smoking by mothers was found to be 8.5 ± 5.88 cigarettes/day. The number of smoking fathers was 31 (59.6%), and the mean daily amount of smoking by fathers was found to be 18.2 ± 9.6 cigarettes/day. Conclusion: Smoking exposure from asthma risk factors remains important. The harm due to smoking exposure during breastfeeding should be emphasized. We think that it would be beneficial to increase the awareness of clinicians, patients, and parents about passive smoking exposure, which is one of the most important obstacles against full control in asthma. Keywords: Asthma, child, smoke exposur