In utero cigarette smoke exposure impairs somatic and lung growth in BALB/c XXXX .

@entity1 @entity286 @entity19 @entity1050 @entity1576
The aim of this study was to assess whether in utero @entity286 smoke exposure alone affects early-life lung growth and development. Pregnant BALB/c @entity19 were exposed to cigarette smoke from six cigarettes per day, or air, from day 8 to 20 of gestation. At 2 weeks of age, pups were weighed and had their lung volumes and lung mechanics measured. Pups born from mothers exposed to cigarette smoke ( @entity1050 pups; n=17) were significantly lighter (6.76    0.76 versus 7.72    0.68 g) and had lower lung volumes (0.123    0.02 versus 0.149    0.02 mL) than control pups (n=20). Respiratory mechanics were adversely impacted by cigarette smoke exposure. @entity1050 pups had higher baseline airway resistance, tissue damping and tissue elastance. These differences were largely due to lower lung volumes. Both tissue damping and elastance were increased excessively in @entity1050 pups at high transrespiratory pressures, while other parameters were not affected. There were no histological differences between groups. In utero @entity286 smoke exposure significantly affects growth and development in BALB/c @entity19 . These impacts may partially explain the susceptibility of @entity1 born to smoking mothers to early @entity1576 and @entity1576 as adults.
