In this analytical study, aspects of the design of 41 epidemiologic studies pertaining to the
relationship between parental/household smoking and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms
and certain illnesses in preschool children (0-5 years old) were examined using a systematic
protocol developed previously for a similar analysis of epidemiologic studies in
school-age or older children. Wide variability was observed from study to study in the consideration
of 21 predetermined potential confounding variables. While the socioeconomic status
(SES), family health history, subject’s personal health history, family size, age and gender
were considered in 50% or more of the studies, indoor pollution (other than gas stove usage),
day care use, animal exposures, stress, dampness/cold, season, occupational exposures, nutritional
status of the subject, and maternal smoking during pregnancy were considered infrequently
(in <25% of the studies) or not at all. A wide variation was also observed from study
to study in the array of confounders considered. When evaluated on the basis of number of
confounders considered per study, only 3 of the 41 papers considered 10 or more of the 21
predetermined variables. The clinical endpoints, usually obtained from parental questionnaire
responses, were validated by medical records or physician examination in only slightly
more than 50% (21/41) of the relevant epidemiologic studies. Twelve of the 21 predetermined
confounders were analyzed in detail. There was wide variation in and a lack of standardization
of the criteria used as indices of SES, family and personal health history, and age.
There was also marked variation among the studies in methods used, if any, to adjust for
confounding variables. Several of the confounding variables that we looked at appeared to be
consistently associated with increased risk of respiratory illness in preschool children, including
family and personal health history, young age, male gender, day care use and season. On
the other hand, no consistent association was observed for SES, artificial feeding, gas fuel use
and indoor pollution, while equivocal or uncertain data in this regard were obtained for
dampness/cold and heating/air-conditioning. While no consistent interactions between various
confounders were observed, the relationship between parental/household smoking and
respiratory illness in preschool children appeared to vary inversely related to age. Before
epidemiologic associations between parental smoking and respiratory health in preschool
children can be concluded to reflect any effects of ETS on the respiratory system of these
children, it will be necessary to more thoroughly and more consistently consider the role of a
number of potential confounding variables, both individually and in combination. It will also
be necessary, before reaching such conclusions, to control and/or adjust for these factors
where appropriate, as well as to more consistently validate parental questionnaire-based clinical
endpoints.