Elevated homocyst(e)ine levels with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether homocyst(e)ine, a relatively new risk factor for possible endothelial cell dysfunction and premature vascular disease, is elevated in nulliparous pregnant women with preeclampsia.


METHODS
We measured plasma homocyst(e)ine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels in 40 nulliparas, 20 with and 20 without preeclampsia at the time of their delivery.


RESULTS
Mean (+/- standard deviation) plasma homocyst(e)ine levels in the 20 nulliparous women with preeclampsia were significantly higher than in the 20 nulliparous women without preeclampsia (8.66 +/- 3.05 versus 4.99 +/- 1.11 mumol/L, P < .001). Folic acid and vitamin B12 concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Homocyst(e)ine levels are elevated in pregnant nulliparas with preeclampsia at the time of their delivery. Further studies are necessary to determine what role homocyst(e)ine may play in the etiology of preeclampsia.
Rajkovic
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Metrohealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Catalano
P M
PM
Malinow
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D010298:Parity; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12