Assessment of relationship between cord blood cotinine levels and some factors of perinatal hypoxia

Abstract Objective: To determine the relationship between cord blood cotinine levels and some markers of perinatal hypoxia such as cord blood erythropoietin levels, parameters of umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and Apgar scores. Methods: 150 women with uncomplicated, healthy singleton pregnancies were assessed by means of a patient questionnaire. Neonates born by the examined pregnant women were divided into 3 groups according to recorded maternal smoking status – active smoking: n=51, passive smoking: n=49, non smoking: n=50. Immediately after birth umbilical venous (for cotinine and erythropoietin levels) and arterial blood (for pH, pO2, pCO2, BE) were collected. Results: Cotinine levels were significantly higher (