title: Beta-carotene concentrations in maternal and cord blood of smokers and non-smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking in pregnancy can cause a reduction in the transport of beta-carotene across the placenta, consequently reflecting on the concentrations of this micronutrient in the newborn baby.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study determined the concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood in a group of smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 215 women and respective newborn babies were selected from a hospital in Joinville city, Brazil, between July and November 2002. Women were divided in two groups according to their smoking habits. beta-Carotene concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The difference between mean concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood, in smokers and non-smokers, was determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Student's t-test compared mean concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood, and the mean ingestion of foods rich in beta-carotene by smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistical significant difference between the concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood (S=0.271 micromol/L, NS=0.450 micromol/L; P=0.001) and cord blood (S=0.028 micromol/L, NS=0.045 micromol/L; P=0.001) in smokers (S) and non-smokers (NS). The mean concentration of beta-carotene was significantly higher in maternal blood (0.398 micromol/L) than in cord blood (0.041 micromol/L) (P<0.001). The intake of foods rich in beta-carotene was lower in smokers, than in non-smokers (P=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentrations of beta-carotene in maternal blood and cord blood were influenced by the use of tobacco.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP CEP-01246-904, Brazil.
authors.forename: Silmara Salete
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: de Barros Silva
authors.forename: Patricia Helen de Carvalho
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Rondó
authors.forename: Gilmar Sidnei
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Erzinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene