Hair analysis for the evaluation of maternal tobacco exposure and nicotine metabolism during pregnancy.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 123
Description: This study uses hair analysis of nicotine and cotinine to investigate maternal tobacco exposure and nicotine metabolism. Maternal hair samples and a detailed prenatal smoking survey were obtained from pregnant women in Montreal and Boston. Hair samples were sectioned to correspond with the three trimesters of pregnancy based on a hair growth rate of 1cm/month and nicotine and cotinine concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Our results indicate that hair nicotine and cotinine provide a useful measure of maternal tobacco exposure, as nicotine and cotinine concentrations were reflective of exposure and cigarette consumption. Our segmental hair analysis results also indicate increased nicotine metabolism during late pregnancy. Hair cotinine concentration provides a useful estimate of potential risks associated with maternal cigarette smoking. Cotinine levels greater that or equal to 0.15 ng/mg of hair were associated with a significant reduction in gestational age and infant birth weight.
Notes: Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

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Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-01, page: 0322.

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