High cotinine levels are persistent during the first days of life in newborn second hand smokers.

a b s t r a c t Background: Despite the adverse effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the newborn's health are well-known, in the pediatric population, a high prevalence exists that is very much affected by second hand smoke (SHS). This study aims to investigate the impact of maternal smoking habits during preg- nancy on cotinine levels in newborns during the first days of life. The high association between cotinine concentration in maternal and umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been previously reported, but the levels of blood cotinine that remain in infants born to smokers is unknown. Methods: Cotinine concentration was measured in UCB, in maternal and newborn peripheral blood. Dat…