Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) recently increased their popularity as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco smoking, including among pregnant women. However, the effect of e-cig exposure on fetal and neonatal developing lungs remains poorly investigated. In this review, we analysed the impact...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/262 |
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| author | Antonella Gambadauro Francesca Galletta Beatrice Andrenacci Simone Foti Randazzese Maria Francesca Patria Sara Manti |
| author_facet | Antonella Gambadauro Francesca Galletta Beatrice Andrenacci Simone Foti Randazzese Maria Francesca Patria Sara Manti |
| author_sort | Antonella Gambadauro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) recently increased their popularity as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco smoking, including among pregnant women. However, the effect of e-cig exposure on fetal and neonatal developing lungs remains poorly investigated. In this review, we analysed the impact of e-cig aerosol components (e.g., nicotine, solvents, and flavouring agents) on respiratory system development. We particularly emphasized the role of e-cig-related oxidative stress and inflammation on lung impairment. Nicotine contained in e-cigs can impair lung development at anatomical and molecular levels. Solvents and flavours induce inflammation and oxidative stress and contribute to compromising neonatal lung function. Studies suggest that prenatal e-cig aerosol exposure may increase the risk of future development of respiratory diseases in offspring, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Preventive strategies, such as smoking cessation programs and antioxidant supplementation, may be essential for safeguarding respiratory health. There is an urgent need to explore the safety profile and potential risks of e-cigs, especially considering the limited studies in humans. This review highlights the necessity of regulating e-cig use during pregnancy and promoting awareness of its potential consequences on fetal and neonatal development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-904b8ee907364d439671431bdec0dffe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj-art-904b8ee907364d439671431bdec0dffe2025-08-20T02:11:17ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-02-0114326210.3390/antiox14030262Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and InflammationAntonella Gambadauro0Francesca Galletta1Beatrice Andrenacci2Simone Foti Randazzese3Maria Francesca Patria4Sara Manti5Pediatric Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, ItalyPediatric Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, ItalyS.C. Pneumoinfettivologia Pediatrica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyPediatric Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, ItalyS.C. Pneumoinfettivologia Pediatrica, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, ItalyPediatric Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, ItalyElectronic cigarettes (e-cigs) recently increased their popularity as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco smoking, including among pregnant women. However, the effect of e-cig exposure on fetal and neonatal developing lungs remains poorly investigated. In this review, we analysed the impact of e-cig aerosol components (e.g., nicotine, solvents, and flavouring agents) on respiratory system development. We particularly emphasized the role of e-cig-related oxidative stress and inflammation on lung impairment. Nicotine contained in e-cigs can impair lung development at anatomical and molecular levels. Solvents and flavours induce inflammation and oxidative stress and contribute to compromising neonatal lung function. Studies suggest that prenatal e-cig aerosol exposure may increase the risk of future development of respiratory diseases in offspring, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Preventive strategies, such as smoking cessation programs and antioxidant supplementation, may be essential for safeguarding respiratory health. There is an urgent need to explore the safety profile and potential risks of e-cigs, especially considering the limited studies in humans. This review highlights the necessity of regulating e-cig use during pregnancy and promoting awareness of its potential consequences on fetal and neonatal development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/262air pollutionasthmaCOPDe-cigarettelung developmentneonates |
| spellingShingle | Antonella Gambadauro Francesca Galletta Beatrice Andrenacci Simone Foti Randazzese Maria Francesca Patria Sara Manti Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Antioxidants air pollution asthma COPD e-cigarette lung development neonates |
| title | Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation |
| title_full | Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation |
| title_fullStr | Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation |
| title_short | Impact of E-Cigarettes on Fetal and Neonatal Lung Development: The Influence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation |
| title_sort | impact of e cigarettes on fetal and neonatal lung development the influence of oxidative stress and inflammation |
| topic | air pollution asthma COPD e-cigarette lung development neonates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/262 |
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