HEMATOLOGICAL VARIABLES IN CORD-BLOOD OF NEONATES OF SMOKING AND NONSMOKING MOTHERS

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with maternal and fetal complic ations. In the present study the effect of maternal smoking on neonata l cellular blood components was investigated. The values of whole bloo d cell count, leukocyte differential count, and thrombocyte and reticu locyte counts were determined and compared in cord blood of neonates o f nonsmoking (n = 89) and smoking (n = 53) mothers. The variables of t he erythrocyte and thrombocyte count were not different in cord blood of neonates who were exposed to smoke and in those who were not In the reticulocyte range the reticulocyte count was significantly lower in the smoking group, while the reticulocyte subsets remained stable. The neutrophils were significantly lower in cord blood of neonates of smo king mothers (P < 0.05). The latter finding might be an explanation fo r the enhanced incidence of postnatal infection seen in children of sm oking mothers.