Vitamin B12 deficiency, infertility and recurrent fetal loss.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship of infertility to recurrent fetal loss in patients who were vitamin B12 deficient.


METHODS
The obstetric histories of 14 patients presenting with 15 episodes of vitamin B12 deficiency were analyzed. Infertility (two to eight years) had been present in four episodes, and recurrent fetal loss was a feature in 11.


RESULTS
In six episodes, periods of recurrent fetal loss were followed by periods of infertility greater than one year.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypercoagulability due to raised homocysteine levels may lead to fetal loss when vitamin B12 deficiency first develops. A more prolonged deficiency results in infertility by causing changes in ovulation or development of the ovum or changes leading to defective implantation.
Bennett
M
M
Department of Hematology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel 18101. bennett@netvision.net.il
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000749:Anemia, Megaloblastic / Q000209:etiology; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
D006710:Homocysteine