Exhaled breath volatile alterations in pregnancy assessed with electronic nose.

CONTEXT

Pregnancy-linked accelerated metabolism and oxidative stress may alter the exhaled volatile compound pattern ("breathprint"). Electronic noses can distinguish "breathprints" associated with different disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This is the first study assessing alterations in "breathprint" during gestation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

130 women participated in our study (78 pregnant vs. 52 non-pregnant). Breath samples were processed by an electronic nose and analyzed using principal component analysis.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in exhaled breath pattern between pregnant and non-pregnant women (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy-induced changes in exhaled gases need to be considered when pregnant women with respiratory disorders carry out breath tests.