How Does Tobacco Smoke Affect Fetal Growth Potential in the First Trimester of Pregnancy as Measured by Volume Parameters of the Fetus, Trophoblast, and Gestational Sac?

Abstract

We aimed to assess if tobacco smoke, as measured by the serum concentration of cotinine and blood concentration of cadmium, influences the fetal, sac, and trophoblast volume in the first trimester of pregnancy. We enrolled women in weeks 11 to 14 of pregnancy: 35 smokers, 24 passive smokers, and 98 nonsmoking healthy women. We found that the fetus volume was similar in all groups (18.70 ± 6.29, 17.11 ± 5.4, 18.97 ± 7.55 cm3). The trophoblast was significantly smallest in smokers (50.27 ± 19.56, 56.71 ± 23.50, 61.95 ± 22.94 cm3). The trophoblast volume was correlated with cotinine and cadmium concentration ( r = -0.54, r = -0.44). In passive smokers, gestational sac and trophoblast volume grew systematically and were correlated with the mean parental height. In smokers, only the gestational sac grew systematically and was correlated with the mean parental height. The fetus volume was independent of mean parental height and intensity of exposure to tobacco smoke. Volumetric changes of the fetus, trophoblast, and sac may be observed in the first trimester; however, their consequences require further research.