A smoky household is now being linked to problems with infants in the womb. Scientists are now seeing that elementary aged children who suffer from eczema were likely exposed to secondhand smoke while in the womb. Scientists in South Korea were able to utilize questionnaires and blood tests to determine prenatal smoke exposure.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema is known as a condition that causes dry and itchy patches on the skin. According to the research, children were 50% more likely to develop eczema after the exposure to the smoke in the home.
Additionally, for children who had immune proteins TNF-alpha and TLR-4 are even more apt to experience symptoms of eczema during their childhood. Over 3,000 children from the ages 7 to 8 were given blood tests. These proteins are also an indication of Chron’s disease and asthma.
By living in a household with smoke, children are being exposed to many issues in utero. For those who would already develop atopic dermatitis, the condition could worsen later making the child very uncomfortable. The data from the study was presented on February 22nd during a meeting with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The results were provided by pediatric allergist, Soo-Jong Hong.