Secondhand smoke as a risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is recognized as a common childhood psychiatric disorder‏ with a worldwide prevalence estimated at 5%. In Egypt, early exposure of children to smoke occurred due to many causes mainly tobacco use. This exposure is linked to a variety of developmental and behavioral consequences for children. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and ADHD in children and find the association between the level of exposure to SHS and the degree of ADHD symptoms. Method: Case–control study was done by a random selection of children from the outpatient Clinic of Assiut University Hospital of Children. Data were collected by a questionnaire to evaluate home exposure to SHS and blood sampling for serum cotinine measurement as an indicator of exposure to SHS. Results: Of 70 ADHD children, 62 (88.6%) of them reported home exposure to smoke while only 14 of 30 control children (46.7%) reported home exposure to smoke. The serum cotinine level was insignificantly higher in the ADHD group than the control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a significant association between ADHD in the examined sample of children and exposure to SHS. Serum cotinine is a biomarker reflecting current exposure to SHS but it is not a reliable indicator of past and long-term exposure to SHS.