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The relationship between cigarette smoking, endothelial function and intrauterine growth restriction in human pregnancy
Author(s) -
Quinton AE,
Cook CM,
Peek MJ
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01691.x
Subject(s) - brachial artery , endothelial dysfunction , medicine , cigarette smoking , gestation , pregnancy , obstetrics , endothelium , intrauterine growth restriction , endothelial stem cell , fetal growth , cardiology , physiology , blood pressure , biology , biochemistry , in vitro , genetics
This study examined the relationship of cigarette smoking and endothelial function in pregnant women by comparing smokers with nonsmokers. Endothelial function was assessed at 28–32 weeks of gestation by flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) using ultrasound of the brachial artery. The initial FMD was significantly different between the smoking group ( n = 21) at 4.0 ± 2.3, indicating endothelial dysfunction, and the nonsmoking group ( n = 20) at 9.7 ± 4.0 ( P < 0.001). After smoking, this difference in the groups persisted. Babies who were growth restricted (<10th percentile) had mothers with a significantly lower FMD, that is endothelial dysfunction. This work demonstrates persistent endothelial dysfunction in smoking pregnant women.