Hematological parameters and cobalamin status in infants born to smoking mothers.
Hematological parameters, serum cobalamin and folate levels, and the concentrations of the functional markers plasma methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine were determined in 173 newborns and 46 infants at 6 weeks to see whether maternal smoking influences the hematological parameters and the vitamin status of the newborn. At birth, there was a strong inverse correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked per day during pregnancy and red blood cell count (r = -0.56, p = 0.001) and hemoglobin level (r = -0.52, p = 0.003) in the newborns. Neonates born to smoking mothers had lower red blood cell counts and lower hemoglobin and serum cobalamin levels as compared with infants born to nonsmoking mothers. At 6 weeks, maternal smoking significantly predicted the methylmalonic acid and total homocysteine levels, suggesting an influence from smoking on the cobalamin function in these infants.
Bjørke Monsen
Anne-Lise
AL
Department of Pediatrics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. albm@online.no
Vollset
Stein Emil
SE
Refsum
Helga
H
Markestad
Trond
T
Ueland
Per Magne
PM
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D006710:Homocysteine; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12