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OB: Tobacco toxins present in pregnant smokers' amniotic fluid in first trimester From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com) Fri Apr 23 07:52:20 2004 Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ] Next message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: 4 th stage active management" Previous message: hemant damle: "4 th stage active management" Carcinogenesis April 23, 2004 2004 APR 23 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study presented at the 95th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, the amniotic fluid of smoking women in their first trimester of pregnancy contains about 10 times the amount of a known tobacco carcinogen - polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - than nonsmokers. Similar results were found for another established cancer-causing agent, known as benzo(a)pyrenes. "This is the first study to show the presence of carcinogens in the fetus at this early stage of development," said Steven R. Myers, PhD, director of the Center for Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky, and lead author of the study titled "Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples from Smokers and Nonsmokers." In all, over 500 women participated in the study, which involved routine amniocentesis performed between 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The first trimester is a particularly critical period for the developing fetus, during which rapid cell division and growth takes place. Amniotic fluid not only helps protect and cushion the fetus, it also plays an important role in the development of many fetal organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. "There is a great potential at this time for severe DNA damage and potential alterations in genes that may predispose the child to later cancers," said Myers. "Any compounds that have potential to disrupt these processes such as chemical carcinogens found in tobacco are detrimental." Scientists analyzed fluid extracted from nonsmokers and smokers, ranging from a half-pack to more than two packs per day. Levels of PAHs were detected in virtually all amniotic samples. There was a clear correlation, however, between smoking and high concentrations of PAHs and benzo(a)pyrenes that passed from the mother's circulatory system across the placenta and into the amniotic fluid. Levels range from about 1.5 micrograms per liter in nonsmokers to about 11.7 in women who smoked more than two packs per day - about a 10-fold increase. Myers added that his group is now following the growth curves of these children, in addition to other short-term outcomes, including respiratory and cognitive function. This article was prepared by Genomics & Genetics Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Genomics & Genetics Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net. ©Copyright 2004, Women's Health Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net http://www.obgyn.net/newsheadlines/womens_health-Carcinogenesis-20040423-49.asp -- art fougner, md ich bin ein New Yorker Next message: Richard Chudacoff, MD: "Re: 4 th stage active management" Previous message: hemant damle: "4 th stage active management"

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