by Nigel Hawkes, SCIENCE EDITOR

CHILDREN are twice as likely to need fillings if their mothers smoke[2], a new study says, but the cause is unknown[3].

The researchers, Stella Kwan and Sonia Williams of the Leeds Dental Institute, found no evidence that[4] smoking mothers were more likely to neglect their children's teeth or give them too many sweets[5]. They conclude, in a paper to be presented next month[6], that smoking itself must be causing child tooth decay but they do not know how.

Ms Kwan suggests that passive smoke might affect the immune system[7] or the proper uptake of food[8], but smoking fathers did not appear to be relevant[9]. One possibility was that damage might be done in the womb[10], in the same way that smoking mothers have smaller babies.

The Leeds study was based on 763 children aged 3 to 4½. Children of smoking mothers also suffer more respiratory diseases[11], and earlier studies have suggested that asthma drugs[12] can damage tooth enamel[13]. Respiratory infections[14] may encourage breathing through the mouth[15], drying up saliva[16].

Opracowanie: Agata Papiorek

Źródło: The Times, May 31, 1999.

[1] rot children's teeth – powodują próchnicę u swoich dzieci.

[2] children are twice as likely to need fillings if their mothers smoke – dzieci, których matki palą, są dwa razy bardziej narażone na ubytki wymagające wypełnienia.

[3] but the cause is unknown – ale przyczyny nie są znane.

[4] found no evidence that – nie znaleźli żadnych dowodów wskazujących, że.

[5] were more likely to neglect their children's teeth or give them too many sweets – częściej zaniedbują zęby swoich dzieci lub dają dzieciom zbyt dużo słodyczy.

[6] in a paper to be presented next month – w artykule, który ukaże się w przyszłym miesiącu.

[7] passive smoke might affect the immune system – bierne palenie może mieć wpływ na system immunologiczny.

[8] the proper uptake of food – prawidłowe przyswajanie pokarmu.

[9] did not appear to be relevant – zdają się nie mieć znaczenia.

[10] in the womb – w łonie matki.

[11] respiratory diseases – choroby układu oddechowego.

[12] asthma drugs – leki na astmę.

[13] tooth enamel – szkliwo zębów.

[14] respiratory infections – infekcje układu oddechowego.

[15] may encourage breathing through the mouth – mogą powodować oddychanie przez usta.

[16] drying up saliva – wysuszając ślinę.