1
|
Vilcassim MJR, Stowe S, Majumder R, Subramaniam A, Sinkey RG. Electronic Cigarette Use during Pregnancy: Is It Harmful? TOXICS 2023; 11:278. [PMID: 36977043 PMCID: PMC10058591 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Although combustible cigarette smoking rates have declined in recent years, alternative tobacco product use, particularly electronic cigarette use ("vaping"), has increased among young adults. Recent studies indicate that vaping during pregnancy is on the rise, possibly due to the perception that it is a safer alternative to combustible cigarette smoking. However, e-cigarette aerosols may contain several newer, potentially toxic compounds, including some known developmental toxicants that may adversely impact both the mother and the fetus. However, there is paucity of studies that have examined the effects of vaping during pregnancy. While the adverse perinatal outcomes of cigarette smoking during pregnancy are well established, the specific risks associated with inhaling vaping aerosols during pregnancy requires more research. In this article, we discuss the existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the risks of vaping during pregnancy. Studies that investigate vaping-associated systemic exposure and its effects (i.e., biomarker analyses) and maternal and neonatal clinical health outcomes are needed to reach more robust conclusions. We particularly emphasize the need to go beyond comparative studies with cigarettes, and advocate for research that objectively evaluates the safety of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Ruzmyn Vilcassim
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Samuel Stowe
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
| | - Rachel Majumder
- School of Health Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Akila Subramaniam
- Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.S.); (R.G.S.)
| | - Rachel G. Sinkey
- Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.S.); (R.G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Y, Angley M, Qi X, Lu L, D'Alton ME, Kahe K. Maternal electronic cigarette exposure in relation to offspring development: a comprehensive review. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2022; 4:100659. [PMID: 35568317 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become increasingly popular in young generations in the United States. Because the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with combustible cigarette smoking are well-recognized, many pregnant women switch to e-cigarettes believing that this alternative is low in toxic chemicals. However, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can easily pass through the placenta and accumulate to a high concentration in fetal blood circulation. Studies have also detected toxic metals (eg, lead, cadmium, and nickel) in e-cigarettes, and carbonyl compounds and flavorings, which are suggested to be irritative and even carcinogenic. There are questions that need to be answered about the risks of e-cigarette exposure during pregnancy. Unfortunately, research evaluating the association between maternal e-cigarette exposure and offspring health is scarce, especially with regard to human studies. Some evidence from laboratory and animal studies, although inconsistent, showed that maternal exposure to e-cigarette vapor may lead to restricted growth of offspring. E-cigarette exposure may also have an impact on the metabolic health of offspring, manifested as distorted glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. In addition, in utero exposure may lead to defects in respiratory, vascular, and neurologic system development. For humans, investigations mostly focused on immediate birth outcomes such as small-for-gestational-age neonates, low birthweight, and preterm birth; however, the results were inconclusive. Research also suggests that maternal e-cigarette exposure may result in compromised neurodevelopment in newborns. In summary, current evidence is insufficient to rigorously evaluate the health impacts of maternal e-cigarette use on offspring development. Future investigations are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, XX D'Alton, and XX Kahe); Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, and XX Kahe)
| | - Meghan Angley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, XX D'Alton, and XX Kahe); Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, and XX Kahe)
| | - Xinran Qi
- School of Nursing, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (XX Qi)
| | - Liping Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, XX D'Alton, and XX Kahe); Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, and XX Kahe)
| | - Mary E D'Alton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, XX D'Alton, and XX Kahe)
| | - Ka Kahe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, XX D'Alton, and XX Kahe); Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY (XX Zhang, XX Angley, XX Lu, and XX Kahe).
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Collaco JM, McGrath-Morrow SA. Developmental Effects of Electronic Cigarette Use. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3337-3346. [PMID: 35578965 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes have gained widespread acceptance among adolescents and young adults. As a result of this popularity, there are concerns regarding the potential harm of primary, secondhand and thirdhand electronic cigarette exposures on fetal and postnatal development. In vitro studies have shown that constituents in electronic cigarette liquids, including nicotine, flavorings, and carrier agents can alter cellular processes and growth. Additionally, aerosolized electronic cigarette emissions have been shown to disrupt organ development and immune responses in preclinical studies. In clinical studies, an association between electronic cigarette use and frequent respiratory symptoms, greater asthma severity and impaired mucociliary clearance has been demonstrated with adolescent and young adult users of electronic cigarettes having twice the frequency of cough, mucus production, or bronchitis compared to nonusers. Along with the popularity of electronic cigarette use, secondhand electronic cigarette exposure has increased substantially; with almost one-fourth of middle and high school children reporting exposure to secondhand vapors. The health consequences of secondhand electronic cigarette exposure on children and other vulnerable populations are poorly understood but detectable levels of cotinine have been measured in nonusers. Pregnant women and their offspring are another vulnerable group at increased risk for health consequences from electronic cigarette exposure. Nicotine crosses the placenta and can disrupt brain and lung development in preclinical studies. This article will focus on the physiological and health effects associated with primary or secondhand exposure to electronic cigarettes. It is expected that with ongoing availability of electronic cigarettes as well as the accumulation of additional follow-up time for long-term outcomes, the risks associated with exposure will become better clarified. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3337-3346, 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Collaco
- Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sharon A McGrath-Morrow
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|