ABSTRACT
18.m.1. Divers, W. A., Wilkes, M. M., Babaknia, A., and Yen, S. S. C., Maternal smoking and elevation of catecholamines and metabolites in the amniotic fluid, Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 141, 625—628, 1981. Levels of 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylglycol (DOPEG), a metabolite of norepinephrine, were significantly higher in amniotic fluid of smokers (N = 20) compared to nonsmokers (N = 48) during the second trimester of pregnancy. During the third trimester, DOPEG levels were still elevated and in addition levels of epinephrine were also increased significantly in amniotic fluid from smokers. Levels of dopamine and its metabolite were not affected. Levels of catecholamines in amniotic fluid were not correlated with amount of smoking.
