CORD-BLOOD CLOTTING FACTORS IN NEONATES OF SMOKING AND NONSMOKING MOTHERS

Since smoking is known to influence hemostasis, the possible impact of maternal smoking on hemostatic variables in the newborn was studied. Cord blood dotting factors fibrinogen, factor VII, factor VIII:c and f actor XIII were measured in 151 newborns. A significant reduction in b irth weight and a rise in the placental/birth weight ratio was found i n newborns of smoking mothers, which is in agreement with the literatu re. No differences in cord blood clotting factors were found between t he smoking and non-smoking groups. A possible explanation for this, at least for lack of difference in fibrinogen levels, may be that fetal lungs were not directly exposed to smoke.