Concentrations of serum bone turnover markers in smoking pregnant women and in umbilical cord blood of newborns
Ambroszkiewicz, J.; Maciejewski, T.; Chełchowska, M.; Gajewska, J.; Laskowska-Klita, T.
Przeglad Lekarski 66(10): 644-647
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 20301901 Document Number: 631888
Smoking is proved to be harmful to many aspects of human health. In many papers lower bone mineral density and differences in bone metabolism in patients who smoke were shown. However, little is known about biochemical bone formation and resorption markers in women who smoke during pregnancy as well as in their newborn. The aim of the study was to assess whether the smoking during pregnancy has an effect on the serum levels of bone metabolism markers in maternal and umbilical cord blood. The study consisted of 43 pregnant women under surveillance at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. They were divided into two groups: smoking (n = 22) and nonsmoking (n = 21) pregnant women. The serum concentration of bone turnover markers (osteocalcin--OC and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen--CTX) were determined by immunoenzymatic method in maternal and umbilical cord blood obtained at the time of delivery. In the whole studied group concentration of bone metabolism markers were significantly higher in umbilical cord blood than in maternal blood. In umbilical cord blood mean concentration of osteocalcin was: 70.4 +/- 19.3 ng/ml whereas in maternal serum it was 16.6 +/- 5.8 ng/ml (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the level of the resorption marker CTX was 1.02 +/- 0.28 ng/ml and 0.71 +/- 0.24 ng/ml (p < 0.0001), respectively. In serum of both smoking and non-smoking mothers similar values of osteocalcin (17.9 +/- 7.1 ng/ml versus 15.3 +/- 3.8 ng/ml) and CTX (0.69 +/- 0.21 ng/ml versus 0.64 +/- 0.27 ng/ml) were observed. However, in umbilical cord blood of smokers, the concentration of OC was about 2-fold lower (p < 0.0001), while the CTX level was slightly higher than in the non-smoking group. In both groups significant correlation (p < 0.0001) between concentration of CTX in mothers and their newborns were found. Our results indicate the negative influence of smoking during pregnancy on the fetal's bone formation process. This is reflected in lower osteocalcin level in umbilical cord blood and might be one of the causes of bone metabolism disturbances later during childhood and even in adult life.