Smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy affects preterm infants' docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status
Date
1999
Authors
Smuts C.M.
Tichelaar H.Y.
Dhansay M.A.
Faber M.
Smith J.
Kirsten G.F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
This study investigated the effect of alcohol consumption and smoking during pregnancy on the fatty acid composition of the infants. A total of 40 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, weighing between 750 and 1500g, were enrolled in the study after being hospitalized and ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Maternal and infant demographic information was recorded. Questions regarding maternal smoking (none, <10 and ≥10 cigarettes/d) and alcohol consumption (none, occasionally, moderate and severe) were recorded. Erythrocyte membrane (EMB; n = 40) total fatty acid analyses were performed at birth (baseline) and on days 14 and 28 postnatally. During pregnancy, 42% of mothers consumed alcohol and 50% smoked. At birth, infants of mothers who smoked and consumed alcohol during pregnancy, had significantly higher blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; p < 0.05) than infants of mothers who abstained from both alcohol and smoking. The consequences of this finding remain unknown.
Description
Keywords
docosahexaenoic acid, alcohol consumption, article, cigarette smoking, clinical article, erythrocyte membrane, fatty acid blood level, fetus development, human, lipid composition, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, newborn, pregnancy, prematurity, prenatal exposure, priority journal, very low birth weight, Alcohol Drinking, Docosahexaenoic Acids, Female, Gestational Age, Hospitalization, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Very Low Birth Weight, Maternal Behavior, Plants, Toxic, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Prospective Studies, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn, Smoking, Tobacco
Citation
Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
88
7
88
7