Beta-carotene concentrations in maternal and cord blood of smokers and non-smokers.
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.
de Barros Silva
Silmara Salete
SS
Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP CEP-01246-904, Brazil.
Rondó
Patricia Helen de Carvalho
PH
Erzinger
Gilmar Sidnei
GS
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*
D019207:beta Carotene