Journal Published Online: 01 January 1993
Volume 38, Issue 1

Nicotine Analysis in Neonates' Hair for Measuring Gestational Exposure to Tobacco

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Hair samples were collected at time of delivery from 40 neonates whose mothers were known to be smokers during the prenatal period. Hair was decontaminated in dichloromethane, homogenized in NaOH, and nicotine was extracted in diethyl ether. After separation on a BP-5 capillary column, nicotine was identified and quantified by GC/MS using selected ion monitoring. In all cases, nicotine was found in the neonatal hair and in the hair of the corresponding mother. The ranges of nicotine levels were 0.15 to 11.80 ng/mg, and 0.37 to 63.50 ng/mg, for the neonates, and their mothers, respectively. It was possible to establish a significant correlation between both concentrations, and the correlation coefficient was 0.83. These findings suggest the possibility of monitoring the transfer of maternal nicotine through the placenta by measuring nicotine concentration in neonatal hair.

Author Information

Kintz, P
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Kieffer, I
Service de Pédiatrie II, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
Messer, J
Service de Pédiatrie II, Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
Mangin, P
Institut de Médecine Légale, Strasbourg, France
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13383J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13383J