Effects of maternal cigarette smoking on placental volume and vascularization measured by 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to establish the effect of maternal smoking on placental volume and vascularization in early gestation.


METHODS
Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography of the placenta was performed at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks in 80 pregnancies categorized according to cigarette consumption: group A never smoked, B smoking < 10 cigarettes/day, C smoking 10-20 cigarettes/day, and D smoking > 20 cigarettes/day. Using a standardized setting, placental volume and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated.


RESULTS
No differences were found in placental volume among groups. In groups C and D lower values were found for VI (group C: t = 4.52, P = .0002; group D: t = 3.72, P = .0014), FI (group C: t = 5.06, P = .0001; group D: t = 4.59, P = .0002), and VFI (group C: t = 3.49, P = .0024; group D: t = 2.88, P = .0095). Placental vascular indices were significantly related to birthweight (VI r = 0.563, FI r = 0.580, VFI r = 0.601; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal smoking is associated with altered 3-dimensional placental Doppler indices and these changes are related to birth weight.
Rizzo
Giuseppe
G
Fetal Medicine Center Genoma, Ospedale G. B. Grassi, Rome, Italy.
Capponi
Alessandra
A
Pietrolucci
Maria Elena
ME
Arduini
Domenico
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal