Potential effects of E-cigarettes and vaping on pediatric asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and exposure to tobacco smoke has been long recognized as a risk factor for its onset as well as for exacerbations and poor disease control. Since the early 2000s, electronic cigarettes have been marketed worldwide as a non-harmful electronic alternative to combustible cigarettes and as a device likely to help stop smoking, and their use is continuously rising, particularly among adolescents. However, several studies have shown that vape contains many different well-known toxicants, causing significant cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects on the airways in-vitro and in animal models. In humans, a variety of harmful lung effects related to vaping, ranging from bronchoconstriction to severe respiratory distress has been already reported. To investigate the potential effects of vaping in pediatric asthma, we searched relevant published studies in the MEDLINE/PubMed database by combining the adequate Medical Subject Headings terms and key words. At the end of our study selection process, five cross-sectional studies focusing on electronic cigarettes use in adolescents and self-reported asthma and/or other respiratory' symptoms, one study focusing on the effects of electronic cigarettes second-hand exposure and one case report were retrieved. These preliminary data support a likely detrimental effect of vaping in asthmatic adolescents. Currently available evidence supports that electronic cigarettes are a potential threat to respiratory health, particularly in adolescents with asthma. High-quality studies on larger population assessing the long-term effects of vape exposure, are urgently needed.