Effects of E-Cigarette Exposure on Prenatal Life and Childhood Respiratory Health: A Review of Current Evidence

Abstract

In the last decade, widespread use of E-cigarettes (EC) has occurred all over the world. Whereas, a large amount of evidence on harm to children from conventional cigarette exposure is available, data on health effects in this population throughout different vulnerability windows are still a matter of concern. Exposure to EC during pregnancy may compromise placental function, resulting in fetal structural abnormalities. Specifically, this may cause physio-pathologic changes in the developing lung, which in turn may impair respiratory health later in life. Furthermore, there is evidence that using EC can cause both short- and long-term respiratory problems in the pediatric population and there is great concern for future young people with nicotine addiction. The low parental perception of the risks connected to EC exposure for children increases their susceptibility to harmful effects from passive vaping. This minireview aims to summarize the current evidence focusing on: (i) prenatal effects of EC passive exposure; (ii) post-natal respiratory effects of EC exposure in youth; (iii) parental attitudes toward EC use and perception of children's health risks connected to EC exposure; and (iv) addressing gaps in our current evidence.

Knowledge and perception of risks and use of e-cigarettes among adults in Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study

“…Additionally, there is indication that using e-cigarettes can cause both short-and long-term respiratory complications in children and future young people who become nicotine addicts are a serious concern. Pediatric populations are more susceptible to the negative consequences of passive vaping because of the low parental perception of the risks associated with e-cigarettes exposure for children (Mescolo et al, 2021). In our study, 67.5% identified correctly that indoor vaping cause harm to non smokers near (passive smoking) if they are exposed to chemicals and aerosols from vaping.…”

“…Besides, 94.3% confirmed that vaping or e-cigarettes is not safer for a pregnant woman and her fetus. Pregnancy related exposure to ecigarettes may impair placental function and cause morphological defects in the fetus (Mescolo et al, 2021). The growing lung may experience physiopathologic changes as a result of this, which could subsequently compromise respiratory health.…”

Prenatal nicotine exposure during pregnancy results in adverse neurodevelopmental alterations and neurobehavioral deficits

“…At present, the effects of using e-cigarettes during pregnancy and early fetal development are largely unknown and few studies have addressed the association between e-cigarettes and neurobehavioral deficits [ 169 ]. Two recent epidemiological studies in humans have associated e-cigarette use with an increased risk for low birthweight and fetal growth restriction [ 173 – 175 ]. Studies in mice investigating the effects of e-cigarettes on different brain regions have found that e-cigarette exposure during pregnancy can alter the transcriptome of the frontal cortex (13–16 mg/mL nicotine), increase global DNA methylation within the brain (13–16 mg/mL nicotine), and dysregulate gene expression in the hippocampus (13 mg/mL nicotine) [ 176 ].…”

Environmental inequality: Air pollution and asthma in children

“…Unlike a cigarette, e‐cigarettes produce a respirable aerosol without burning tobacco. Although the number of studies on the short‐ and long‐term health effects of e‐cigarettes is very limited, recent studies suggested that exposure to e‐cigarettes is also a significant factor that has been shown to increase the incidence of asthma 55 . In 2019, 33% of the youth with asthma who reported having an asthma attack in the previous year were exposed to SHS to e‐cigarettes 54 …”

“…Although the number of studies on the shortand long-term health effects of e-cigarettes is very limited, recent studies suggested that exposure to e-cigarettes is also a significant factor that has been shown to increase the incidence of asthma. 55 In 2019, 33% of the youth with asthma who reported having an asthma attack in the previous year were exposed to SHS to e-cigarettes. 54 Overall, the evidence contributes to a growing understanding about the timing of SHS exposure and the development of childhood asthma, showing that knowledge of critical time windows of exposure is important in implementing targeted interventions.…”