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.
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.
Authors: Laura R Stroud; Rachel L Paster; George D Papandonatos; Raymond Niaura; Amy L Salisbury; Cynthia Battle; Linda L Lagasse; Barry Lester Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2008-11-05 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Frederica P Perera; Deliang Tang; Yi-Hsuan Tu; Linda Ali Cruz; Mejico Borjas; Tom Bernert; Robin M Whyatt Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 9.031