Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(7): 349-354
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35615
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Maternal Smoking and Partial Exchange Transfusion for Neonatal Polycythemia

Feyisola O. Awonusonu1,2 , Thomas H. Pauly1,3 , Alastair A. Hutchison1
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
  • 2Current address: Kidz Medical Services, Inc., 21644 State Road 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428
  • 3Current address: General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 3320 Tates Creek Road, Suite 302, Lexington, KY 40502
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 November 2002 (online)

Preview

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine if maternal smoking was associated with an increased need for partial exchange transfusion for symptomatic polycythemia in term neonates. The study population consisted of 8961 term neonates, of whom 28.7% were categorized as babies born to mothers who smoked. The incidence of partial exchange transfusion was determined in neonates whose mothers smoked and in neonates of nonsmokers. Partial exchange transfusion was performed in 41 neonates of mothers who smoked (1.59%; n = 2572) versus 41 neonates of nonsmokers (0.64%; n = 6389) (p = 0.000). In babies requiring a partial exchange transfusion birth weights were 2908 ± 659 g (smokers) versus 3474 ± 770 g, (nonsmokers) (p <0.001) and the babies born to mothers who smoked were 9 times more likely to be small-for-gestational age (SGA) and 5 times less likely to be large-for-gestational age (LGA). Term neonates of mothers who smoke during pregnancy require a partial exchange transfusion for neonatal polycythemia approximately two and a half times as often as neonates of mothers who do not smoke.

REFERENCES