Effect of maternal smoking on cord blood estriol, placental lactogen, chorionic gonadotropin, FSH, LH, and cortisol.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of maternal cigarette smoking on cord blood concentrations of E3, hPL, beta-hCG, FSH, LH, and cortisol.


METHODS
Hormone concentrations were measured in term neonates of 100 smoking and 100 non-smoking mothers.


RESULTS
The median E3, hPL, beta-hCG, FSH, LH and cortisol cord blood concentrations in the non-smoking mothers' offspring were 212 ng/mL, 2.00 microg/mL, 57.5 mIU/mL, 0.10 mIU/mL, 0.20 mIU/mL, and 14.3 microg/mL, respectively; in the smoking they were 163, 1.39, 45.4, 0.10, 0.20, and 25.1, respectively (P=0.008, 0.004, 0.037, 0.498, 0.286, 0.004, respectively). There was a significant but poor negative correlation between number of cigarettes/day and E3 (r=-0.163, P=0.021), hPL (r=-0.191, P=0.007), and beta-hCG (r=-0.143, P=0.044), whereas the correlation with cortisol was positive (r=0.259, P<0.0001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that maternal smoking is a determinant of cord blood E3, hPL, beta-hCG, FSH, and cortisol concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Tobacco smoking is associated with a reduction in cord blood E3, hPL, and beta-hCG concentrations, whereas it is associated with increased cortisol concentrations. The disturbed endocrine equilibrium of the fetus induced by tobacco smoking could have adverse consequences on the fetus and child since fetal brain is a target organ for hormonal actions.
Varvarigou
Anastasia A
AA
Department of Pediatrics, University of Patras, Medical School, Rio, Patras, Greece. nata-var@med.upatras.gr
Liatsis
Spyros G
SG
Vassilakos
Pavlos
P
Decavalas
George
G
Beratis
Nicholas G
NG
D000328:Adult; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D006062:Gonadotropins; D010928:Placental Lactogen; D004964:Estriol; D006854:Hydrocortisone