title: [Smoking cessation during pregnancy, newborn size, and NO-synthase activity in endothelial cells of the umbilical cord--secondary publication].
abstract: Newborns of smokers had a lower weight, a smaller head circumference, and were shorter than newborns of smokers and ex-smokers, who stopped smoking early in pregnancy. The activity and concentration of the enzyme which produces the vasodilator nitric oxide were 36% and 47% lower, respectively, in endothelial cells of the umbilical vein from smokers compared with that from nonsmokers and ex-smokers. The findings suggest that smoking reduces nitric oxide production in the foetal vascular bed, contributing to retarded foetal growth caused by the reduction of vasodilatory capacity.
authors.affiliation: Gentofte Hospital, Klinisk-biokemisk Afdeling, Hellerup. mardan01@geh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Malene R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uldbjerg
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aalkjaer
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stender
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000201:enzymology; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III