Transplacental exposure to genotoxins. Evaluation in haemoglobin of hydroxyethylvaline adduct levels in smoking and non-smoking mothers and their newborns.

The N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine (HOEtVal) adduct resulting from the interaction of ethylene oxide with the N-terminal valine in haemoglobin, was determined in blood samples taken from non-smoking pregnant women (n = 10) and from pregnant women (n = 13) smoking 15 or more cigarettes a day. The HOEtVal levels were also determined in the haemoglobin from blood samples taken, within 48 h of delivery, from the newborns of these mothers. In the maternal haemoglobins, the average HOEtVal adduct level was increased from a background of 63 +/- 20 (mean +/- SD) pmol/g globin in the non-smoking mothers to 361 +/- 107 (mean +/- SD) pmol/g globin in the smoking mothers. Haemoglobin adducts were also detected in all the babies' blood samples. The concentrations in the newborns from smoking mothers [147 +/- 68 (mean +/- SD) pmol/g globin] was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the concentrations in the newborns from non-smoking mothers [42 +/- 18 (mean +/- SD) pmol/g globin]. A significant correlation (P < 0.01) was found between newborns and maternal HOEtVal adduct levels.