Effect of Secondhand Smoke on Salivary C - reactive protein Among Children and Adolescents

Today, smoking is recognized as a pervasive health problem, resulting in the growing number of people exposing to secondhand smoke. Regarding this, children, who are in the early years of their growth, are more vulnerable than adults. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is considered one of the most toxic environmental exposures; in this regard, passive smoking is one of the most important public health problems. Considering the effects of cigarette smoke on C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular problems, this study was conducted to compare the salivary CRP levels among passive smoker and non-smoker children and adolescents aged 12-15 years. The statistical population of this case-control study consisted of 80 children and adolescents aged 12-15 years (40 passive smokers and 40 non-smokers). To conduct the research, the unstimulated salivary samples were collected from the study population. Salivary cotinine level was measured using a cotinine kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Moreover, a CRP kit and immunoturbidimetric method were used to evaluate the salivary CRP level. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 23) using an independent t-test. Based on the findings, the salivary cotinine levels were not significantly different among male and female passive smokers (0.12±0.34 and 0.15±0.37 ng/ml, respectively; p < /em>-value=0.8). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed among male and female non-smokers (0.014±0.01 ng/ml and 0.017±0.014 ng/ml, respectively; P-value=0.86). However, the salivary CRP levels were significantly higher in the passive smoker group (4.16±1.56 mg/l) than in non-smokers (3.175±1.009 mg/l; p < /em>-value=0.001). It can be concluded that children and adolescents' exposure to ETS would increase salivary CRP levels, which is a strong predictor of the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, and consequently endanger the individual's health.