Second hand damages toddler’s blood vessels than normal children. Toddlers absorb 6 times more nicotine than children from second hand smoke. Researchers conducted experiments on the hair samples and blood tests in 128 children aged 2 to 13 years to know the effects of second hand smoke. The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association. Research was done by doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio. In the study, kids aged 2-5 years had more damage to blood vessels than those aged 9-14 years due to more nicotine absorption from second hand smoke. They absorb more smoke due to their rapid breathing and more damage is due to tender vessels. Exposure to smoke damages the inner lining of the heart and blood vessels. There is a dramatic increase in Intracellular Adhesion molecules (ICAM) which are markers for atherosclerosis. Second hand smoke severely affects lungs and blood vessels of toddlers. So parents should stop smoking at home in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases in the children.    Advice to parents: Smoking is injurious to your toddler’s health.     … [Read more...]