EFFECT OF SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY UPON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL VALUES OF CORD BLOOD

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Abstract
Haematological indices in cord blood, measured by a Coulter Counter, in 50 mothers who smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day were compared with those in 75 control mothers who were non-smokers, but of similar age and parity. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with higher levels, of haemoglobin, and the haematocrit, as well as with higher red cell counts and a higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin. The percentage of fetal haemoglobin in cord blood was not affected by smoking. There was no correlation between social class and cord blood haemoglobin; but within social class groups, higher cord blood haemoglobin levels were associated with smoking. It is suggested that smoking during pregnancy stimulates fetal erythropoeisis.

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