Assessment of Weight Gaining in Infants Exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Infant exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure on infant weight. This was a prospective cohort study. Participants of this study were 51 exposed and 51 non-exposed infants whose weight was measured in three periods of 5-7 days of age and also 2 and 4 months of age. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure of infants and their urinary cotinine were assessed by a questionnaire. The urine samples were collected during each follow-up. For data analysis، independent t test، chi-square and Fisher''s Kappa tests were used. Mean urinary cotinine levels over 5-7 days، 2 months and 4 months of age in the exposed group was significantly higher than in the non-exposed group (P<0. 001). The mean weight of the exposed group was significantly lower than the non-exposed group in 2 and 4 months of age (P<0. 001(. The results of this study show the weigh loss among infants exposed to environmental tobacco smoke، so we suggest further studies with longer follow-up periods and in all aspects of infants’ life.