Researchers say that children who live with smokers may experience more breathing problems while under general anesthesia than kids who are not exposed to secondhand smoke at home, the New York Times reported July 25.

Harvard researchers looked at about 400 children who had undergone surgery at Children's Hospital Boston and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and whose parents had filled out health questionnaires, including providing information about smoke exposure. The 40 percent of children who had been exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to have experienced breathing problems during surgery, such as secreting too much mucus, holding their breath, or having airway constrictions.

The study authors suggested that doctors screen all families of children set to undergo surgery for smoke exposure, and be prepared to take aggressive steps to prevent breathing problems among kids who have been exposed to secondhand smoke.

The study was published in the journal Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.