Parental smoking and allergic rhinitis in children

Background Parental smoking is one of the controversial risk factors associated with allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parental smoking and allergic rhinitis; considering confounding factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 671 children aged 2 to 7 years. Random cluster sampling was used to select the participants. The signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis in children were assessed through standard questionnaires and physical examinations. Results In the multivariate analysis, parental smoking (odds ratio [OR] 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-2.41) was not a significant risk factor for allergic rhinitis; positive family history of allergy was the only significant factor among other factors (OR 23.64; 95% CI, 11.63-48.04). Sex (OR 1.16; 95% CI, 0.60-2.24), family size (OR 1.06; 95% CI, 0.22-5.05), family income (OR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.24-1.47), and parents' education (OR 1.79; 95% CI, 0.61-5.20) were not statistically significant. Conclusion The findings suggest that there is no significant relationship between parental smoking and allergic rhinitis.