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[Carbon monoxide in mother and newborn infant from smoking during pregnancy]
Insights
Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in newborn infants were higher than in their mothers at birth. Maternal smoking significantly increased infant CO levels, indicating a need for prenatal monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is a significant concern during pregnancy.
- Prenatal COHb levels in mothers can potentially impact fetal development.
- Understanding the relationship between maternal and infant COHb is crucial for assessing risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between maternal and newborn carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels at birth.
- To assess the impact of maternal smoking on infant COHb concentrations.
- To evaluate the predictive value of maternal COHb measurements during pregnancy for infant COHb levels.
Main Methods:
- Measured COHb levels in cord blood of 24 newborn infants.
- Measured corresponding maternal venous COHb concentrations at birth.
- Analyzed correlations between maternal and infant COHb, differentiating between smokers and non-smokers.
Main Results:
- Infant COHb levels were consistently higher than maternal COHb levels at birth.
- Infants born to smokers exhibited significantly higher COHb levels (0.8-11.9%) compared to infants of non-smokers (0.3-0.7%).
- A statistically significant positive correlation was found between maternal COHb during pregnancy (32-38 weeks) and infant COHb at birth, with a mean infant/maternal ratio of 2.5.
Conclusions:
- Maternal smoking is a major determinant of elevated COHb levels in newborns.
- Maternal COHb levels during late pregnancy can predict infant COHb levels at birth.
- Prenatal monitoring of COHb may be valuable for identifying at-risk neonates.
Abstract:
COHb-values of 24 newborn infants investigated (cord blood) were higher altogether than the corresponding maternal concentrations (venous) at birth. COHb in percent of saturable Hb ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 in 10 infants of nonsmokers and from 0.8-11.9 in 14 infants of smokers. Correlations between maternal and infant COHb were statistically significant. At birth the mean infant/maternal COHb ratio was 2.5. The significant correlations between maternal COHb during pregnancy (32.-38. week) and infant COHb at birth (cord blood) is an indication for the predictive value of such tests.