Title:A Role for Epigenetics in Broadening the Scope of Pediatric Care in the Prevention of Adolescent Smoking
VOLUME: 1 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Steven R.H. Beach, Meg Gerrard, Frederick X. Gibbons, Gene H. Brody and Robert A. Philibert
Affiliation:Center for Family Research, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Keywords:Aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor, cotinine, DNA methylation, pediatrics, smoking prevention.
Abstract:Adolescence presents a critical opportunity to support the development of healthy patterns
of behavior and prevent future health problems. Unfortunately, there is not yet a well-developed
prevention model that allows pediatricians to initiate and monitor prevention efforts for the substantial
minority of individuals who engage in risky behavior during adolescence. We suggest that recently
developed epigenetic technologies may provide a bridge to a new prevention paradigm in which
pediatricians screen for indicated smoking prevention services. Specifically, since currently available tobacco use
screening measures are insensitive to low levels of use, newly developed methylation based approaches may enhance the
sensitivity of the initial screening for nascent smoking behavior as well monitoring of outcomes. We conclude that the
incorporation of Next Gen screening technologies into standard pediatric evaluations may allow for more effective referral
to prevention programming for tobacco use. In addition to the potential direct impact on long-term enhancement of health
outcomes secondary to smoking prevention, well-established links between smoking and other risk behaviors suggest that
expanded referral for nascent smoking may also create opportunities to address other risky adolescent behaviors, and so
decrease several interrelated drivers of long-term health care costs.
