Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Introduced in the early 2000s, electronic cigarettes have grown in popularity as well as technology and is particularly enticing to the adolescent population. Not only has the combustible quality of traditional cigarettes been eliminated, but new flavorings as well as alternative substances have been added, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In February, 2019 there was an outbreak in the United States of electronic cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) leading to further investigation of the condition. Though EVALI peaked in September of 2020, cases remain to be seen. E-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are designed to heat a nicotine, THC, or cannabinoid containing liquid creating an aerosol to be inhaled by the user. In contrast to the well-established toxicity of cigarettes, ENDS liquids introduce new variables such as flavorings and carrier fluids that contribute to damage as well as impairment in pulmonary tissue. EVALI has a heterogeneous presentation and often mimics or occurs concurrently with other pulmonary pathology. Pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable to the lure of the enticing flavors and colorful packaging that now comes with ENDS rendering them vulnerable to EVALI. It is important that clinicians, specifically those caring for the pediatric population, stay up to date with this pulmonary injury to help patients to avoid severe complications including death.

Keywords: Adolescence, electronic cigarettes, tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC), vaping, United States