ERYTHROCYTE COUNT AND INDEXES DURING NORMAL-PREGNANCY OF NONSMOKING AND SMOKING WOMEN

Objective: To compare the erythrocyte count and the erythrocyte indice s of smoking and non-smoking women at different stages of normal gesta tion. Study design: In 247 non-smoking and 123 smoking healthy pregnan t women the erythrocyte count and indices were compared at four differ ent stages of pregnancy: 0-10, 10-20, 21-30 and 31-40 weeks. Exclusion criteria were a diastolic pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg, an endocrine disease or a coagulation disorder. A woman was considered a smoker if she smoked 4 or more cigarettes/day. Blood samples were r un on the Sysmex NE-8000. Results: The erythrocyte count was significa ntly lower in smokers than in non-smokers (3.86 T/l versus 3.96 T/l in the last 10 weeks). Comparing the erythrocyte count during the beginn ing and the end of pregnancy there were significant tower values in bo th groups (4.32 T/l to 3.96 T/l in the non-smoking and 4.24 T/l to 3.8 6 T/l in the smoking group). The differences in the median Hb and Ht l evels were neglectable. The MCV was significantly higher in women who smoked, as was the MCH (MCV 91 fl and MCH 1.90 fmol in the non-smoking versus MCV 94 fl and MCH 1.95 fmol in the smoking group in the last 1 0 weeks). Conclusion: Smoking in pregnancy leads to a lower erythrocyt e count and a higher MCV which might create a hypoxic condition of the fetus.