ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation of cotinine levels in amniotic fluid and in fetal and corresponding maternal blood samples. Amniotic fluid samples (N = 130) were taken during second trimester amniocentesis, umbilical artery blood samples (N = 75) at birth, both together with corresponding maternal blood samples. Self-reported smokers showed maternal serum cotinine levels > 15 ng/ml in 93%, self-reported nonsmokers levels < 15 ng/ml in 89%. Correlation of corresponding values for cotinine was 0.81-0.92. Cotinine values were increased in fetal blood and amniotic fluid in comparison to maternal serum levels. Despite the fact that pathophysiology is not fully understood, an accumulation of nicotine and its metabolites both in the fetus and in the amniotic fluid appears to be evident.
