A prospective case study on passive exposure to the aerosol emitted by e-cigarette in a pregnant woman and her baby
Background
The use and knowledge of electronic cigarettes in our country began in mid-2007. We don’t have enough scientific evidence yet about its usefulness to quit smoking or about its use as a harm reduction strategy, as well as about its safety of use.
Currently, there is not much scientific evidence about the potential passive exposure to the aerosol emitted by these devices. In our country, the Department of Health of the Catalan Government recommends, as a preventive measure before having conclusive studies, not to use electronic cigarettes around children and pregnant women. However, there are no studies on passive exposure to electronic cigarettes in pregnant women or in utero exposure of the fetus or newborn.
Objective
To determine the potential passive exposure to the aerosol emitted by the use of electronic cigarettes in a pregnant woman.
Methods
This is a case study based on a pregnant woman and the people she lives with. Passive exposure to the aerosol emitted by electronic cigarettes is evaluated in a home where a couple (a user of electronic cigarettes and a pregnant woman) and the son of both of three years old lives. This is an observational study without any intervention performed by the researchers, maintaining the sources of exposure to aerosol “ad libitum”.
For all study participants, samples of hair, urine and saliva will be collected at different measurement points: week 31 and 36 of pregnancy and a day closest to childbirth.
A sample of cord blood and a sample of breast milk will also be collected.
Duration
2 years (2017-2018)
Research Team
Montse Ballbè (IP). (ICO-IDIBELL)
Esteve Fernández (CO-IP). (ICO-IDIBELL)
Guillem Masana. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Antoni Gual. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
Marcela Fu. (ICO-IDIBELL)
Raúl Pérez Ortuño. Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques
José Antonio Pascual. Institut Hospital del Mar d’Investigacions Mèdiques