Introduction: Based
on many scientific research studies, there has been demonstrated a relation
between smoking of pregnant women and its negative effects on pregnancy,
intrauterine fetal growth, postnatal newborn condition, and development. The
aim of our study is to highlight the adverse effects of cigarette use during
pregnancy and to evaluate the effect of maternal smoking on the levels of
erythropoietin (EPO) in umbilical cord plasma. Our aim was to show an effect of
maternal smoking by determining carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in maternal
blood, too. Design: Prospective analysis. Setting: Department of Gynecology
and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin,
Slovak Republic. Methods: Our study included 174 newborns. Mothers were
divided into group of smokers (n = 67) and non-smokers (n = 107). This
prospective study was realized from February 2012 to November 2013 at the
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in
Martin, Slovak Republic. Patients signed a written informed consent and
completed a questionnaire that involved medical history, and data of their
smoking habits. EPO levels were measured in 174 samples of umbilical cord
plasma. Infants were born spontaneously at term. Results: We observed
significantly higher EPO levels in umbilical cord plasma in children born to
smokers in contrast to non-smokers’ (children of non-smoking mothers: 19 ± 8
mIU/mL; children of smokers: 61 ± 33 mIU/mL, p < 0.01). The COHb levels were
significantly higher in smokers (non-smokers: 0.8% ± 0.4%; smokers: 3.6% ± 1.1%,
p < 0.001). Conclusion: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with elevated
EPO concentrations in umbilical cord plasma at the time of birth. Based on the
results of our study, we would like to support women planning pregnancy and
pregnant women to quit smoking. Closer surveillance is recommended in smoking
pregnant women, particularly because of the risk of placental insufficiency
and fetal growth retardation.