Effects of smoking on uteroplacental blood flow.
The effects of nicotine consumption on uteroplacental blood flow were studied in 20 pregnant women by means of placental blood flow measurements using indium-113m-transferrin. Smokers were found to have a higher rate of poor perfusion patterns than subjects of a control group. In addition, the number of cigarettes smoked daily was significantly correlated with the placental perfusion type. The mean birth weight of infants born by smokers was 250 g lower than in the control group. The results suggest that smoking during pregnancy may compromise uteroplacental blood flow and thus result in poor fetal development.
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects; D010920:Placenta; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking
D009538:Nicotine