Effect of smoking during pregnancy upon the haematological values of cord blood.
Haematological indices in cord blood, measured by a Coulter Counter, in 50 mothers who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day were compared with those in 75 control mothers who were non-smokers, but of similar age and parity. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with higher levels, of haemoglobin, and the haematocrit, as well as with higher red cell counts and a higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin. The percentage of fetal haemoglobin in cord blood was not affected by smoking. There was no correlation between social class and cord blood haemoglobin; but within social class groups, higher cord blood haemoglobin levels were associated with smoking. It is suggested that smoking during pregnancy stimulates fetal erythropoeisis.
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class
D006454:Hemoglobins; D001663:Bilirubin