Work

Simultaneous fetal and maternal cotinine levels in pregnant women smokers

Year: 1993

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the simultaneous concentrations of serum cotinine in both fetal and maternal blood. STUDY DESIGN: Serum cotinine levels were measured in 11 maternal-fetal pairs at percutaneous umbilical blood sampling. Statistical analysis was performed by means of a one-group t test to determine whether the ratio of fetal-to-maternal cotinine was significantly different from 1. RESULTS: Fetal cotinine levels ranged from 75% to 110% of maternal values (mean ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.97). Fetal levels were significantly lower than maternal concentrations (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine used to quantify exposure to tobacco smoke, readily gains access to the fetal circulation. Fetal cotinine concentrations in pregnant women smokers are, on average, 90% of maternal values throughout gestation.

Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9378(12)90818-2

Authors: Alan E. Donnenfeld,, Andrea Pulkkinen, Glenn E. Palomaki, George J. Knight, James E. Haddow

Institutions: Pennsylvania Hospital, Foundation for Blood Research

Language: English

Topic: Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,410