The effect of cigarette or sheesha smoking on first-trimester markers of Down syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of cigarette or sheesha smoking on first-trimester markers of Down syndrome.


METHODS
A prospective observational study.


METHODS
Primary care centres and antenatal clinics of Maternity and Children Hospital, King Abdulaziz University Hospital and New Jeddah Clinic Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
Women with a singleton pregnancy who were either nonsmokers (n = 1736) or cigarette smokers (n = 420) or sheesha smokers (n = 181).


METHODS
Fetal nuchal translucency thickness (fetal NT), maternal serum free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (free beta-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) were measured at 11 weeks 0 days to 13 weeks 6 days of gestation in all women. Women were grouped according to smoking status, confirmed by maternal serum cotinine measurements, and analyte levels between groups were compared.


METHODS
Fetal NT, maternal serum free beta-hCG, PAPP-A and cotinine measurements.


RESULTS
Compared with nonsmoking women, fetal NT was significantly increased and free beta-hCG and PAPP-A levels were significantly decreased in both cigarette and sheesha smokers. There were significant relationships between all three markers and the number of sheeshas consumed per day.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette and sheesha smoking significantly affect first-trimester markers of Down syndrome (fetal NT, free beta-hCG and PAPP-A). Correction for this effect in women who smoke might improve the effectiveness of first-trimester screening for Down syndrome in these women. The underlying mechanism(s) relating smoking to the changes in first-trimester markers require further studies.
Ardawi
M S M
MS
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ardawims@yahoo.com
Nasrat
H A
HA
Rouzi
A A
AA
Qari
M H
MH
Al-Qahtani
M H
MH
Abuzenadah
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001724:Birth Weight; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D003367:Cotinine / Q000378:metabolism; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood