<p>The dangers of smoking on users and their children are known but new research demonstrates that it also can causes asthma in their grandchildren.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Asthma is a major public health problem. It is the most common chronic disease of childhood. While there are many factors which contribute to asthma - maternal smoking during pregnancy is a well known, and avoidable, risk.<br /><br />During pregnancy nicotine can affect a developing foetus' lungs, predisposing the infant to childhood asthma. <br /><br />Researchers from Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre, California, tested the effect of nicotine exposure during pregnancy on rats, looking not only at their pups but also at second generation pups.<br /><br />Exposure inside the uterus resulted in both male and female offspring having reduced lung function consistent with asthma. <br /><br />It also impaired lung function of their own offspring, even though the first generation rats were not themselves exposed to nicotine once they were born, according to an UCLA statement.<br /><br />Levels of proteins increased by maternal smoking in the lungs of their offspring such as fibronectin, collagen and nicotinic aceylcholine receptors, were also found to be raised in the grandchildren.</p>
<p>The dangers of smoking on users and their children are known but new research demonstrates that it also can causes asthma in their grandchildren.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Asthma is a major public health problem. It is the most common chronic disease of childhood. While there are many factors which contribute to asthma - maternal smoking during pregnancy is a well known, and avoidable, risk.<br /><br />During pregnancy nicotine can affect a developing foetus' lungs, predisposing the infant to childhood asthma. <br /><br />Researchers from Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre, California, tested the effect of nicotine exposure during pregnancy on rats, looking not only at their pups but also at second generation pups.<br /><br />Exposure inside the uterus resulted in both male and female offspring having reduced lung function consistent with asthma. <br /><br />It also impaired lung function of their own offspring, even though the first generation rats were not themselves exposed to nicotine once they were born, according to an UCLA statement.<br /><br />Levels of proteins increased by maternal smoking in the lungs of their offspring such as fibronectin, collagen and nicotinic aceylcholine receptors, were also found to be raised in the grandchildren.</p>