Cord blood cells and indices: smoking-related differences between the sexes

The values of whole blood cell count, leucocyte differential, and platelet and reticulocyte counts were determined in cord blood of both male (n = 64) and female (n = 75) newborns of 87 non-smoking and 52 smoking mothers. Leucocytes and neutrophils in cord blood from the male newborns of smokers were significantly lower than those in their female counterparts and in male newborns of non-smokers. These results suggest that male newborns are more affected by cigarette exposure than females with regard to some haematological parameters.