Effects of maternal cigarette smoking on placental volume and vascularization measured by 3-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation

Objective

We sought to establish the effect of maternal smoking on placental volume and vascularization in early gestation.

Study Design

Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography of the placenta was performed at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks in 80 pregnancies categorized according to cigarette consumption: group A never smoked, B smoking < 10 cigarettes/day, C smoking 10-20 cigarettes/day, and D smoking > 20 cigarettes/day. Using a standardized setting, placental volume and vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated.

Results

No differences were found in placental volume among groups. In groups C and D lower values were found for VI (group C: t = 4.52, P = .0002; group D: t = 3.72, P = .0014), FI (group C: t = 5.06, P = .0001; group D: t = 4.59, P = .0002), and VFI (group C: t = 3.49, P = .0024; group D: t = 2.88, P = .0095). Placental vascular indices were significantly related to birthweight (VI r = 0.563, FI r = 0.580, VFI r = 0.601; P < .001).

Conclusion

Maternal smoking is associated with altered 3-dimensional placental Doppler indices and these changes are related to birth weight.

Key words: maternal smoking, placenta vascularization, placental volume, 3-dimensional ultrasound