The interaction of cigarette smoking, oral contraceptive use, and cardiovascular risk factor variables in children: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

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Abstract
Two separate surveys were conducted in a total biracial population of children ages 8-17 yr to determine the effects of cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use on blood pressure and serum lipids and lipoproteins. Information regarding smoking habits and oral contraceptive use was obtained from detailed questionnaires. For white males and white and black females, a small but statistically significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure levels for cigarette smokers when compared to nonsmokers was noted. A significant increase among cigarette smokers in .beta.-lipoprotein cholesterol, pre-.beta.-lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides as well as a decrease in .alpha.-lipoprotein cholesterol was noted, especially for white females. This change in lipoprotein levels for cigarette smokers was noted in both surveys. Oral contraceptive users had higher total cholesterol and .beta.-lipoprotein cholesterol and lower .alpha.-lipoprotein cholesterol than nonusers. After adjusting for oral contraceptive use, particularly among white females, cigarette smokers still demonstrated high pre-.beta.-lipoprotein cholesterol and lower .alpha.-lipoprotein cholesterol levels than nonsmokers. Evidently, the lipid and lipoprotein response to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use is to increase cardiovascular risk.