"Hearing Loss In Children Linked To Secondhand Smoke Exposure, New Study Finds" - Dana Dovey
New research from Japan has revealed that exposure to smoking, both in utero and in the first few months of a child’s life, is associated with higher prevalence of hearing impairment. Although the study cannot prove that cigarette smoke exposure was the direct cause of the children’s hearing impairment, the researchers did note that preventing this exposure was a clear way to reduce the children’s risk. Karen Wilson, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, the Debra and Leon Black Division Chief of general pediatrics and vice-chair for clinical and translational research for the department of pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said she was not surprised by the results, although this is the first time she had seen such an association. Hearing is important for language development and learning, and if these impairments are not caught and reversed early on, they could interfere with a child’s ability to learn, Dr. Wilson noted.
- Karen M. Wilson, MD, MPH, Professor, Pediatrics, Debra and Leon Black Division Chief, General Pediatrics, Vice-Chair, Clinical and Translational Research, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai