The effect of cigarette smoking on IgE levels and circulating lymphocytes in cord blood

Mechanisms of smoking-induced morbidity and mortality include a lower birth weight, preterm delivery, and abruptio placentae. This study showed the effects of nicotine on cellular proliferation and elevated level of the immunoglobulin E in newborns. This analysis of cord blood markers was part of a larger study of maternal inflammatory response to smoking during pregnancy. Newborns of smokers and exposure to smoking mothers elevated level of the IgE. The proportion of CD4+ T cells in smokers compared to non-smokers mothers (p=0.02). There was no significant difference in the percent of CD8+ cells between smokers and all other subjects during pregnancy at the time-points analysed.