Homocysteine, folic acid and B12 serum levels in pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated plasma homocysteine has been implicated in vascular changes compatible with atherosis and endothelial dysfunction similar to the vascular changes of the placenta in preeclampsia. Previous reports have indicated an increased incidence of hyperohomocysteinemia in preeclamptic patients. The aim of this study was to examine the association of homocysteine levels and preeclampsia in our patients.


METHODS
Prospective study of 28 preeclamptic patients that were matched with 26 normal controls of the same gestational age.


RESULTS
The preeclamptic group had an increased incidence of cesarean sections (75%), of growth retarded fetuses (50%), intrauterine deaths (7%) and placental abruptions (7%). Mean levels of homocysteine were significantly elevated in the preeclamptic than in control group (11.11 vs. 6.40 micromol/l, P < 0.001). There were no differences between the groups regarding the levels of folic acid (11.12 vs. 9.73 ng/ml, P = 0.55) and vitamin B12 (295.76 vs. 356.15 pg/ml, P = 0.43).


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that in our study homocysteine levels are significantly elevated in patients with preeclampsia compared with control group, while no vitamin deficiencies were observed.
Makedos
Georgios
G
4th Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotles University of Thessaloniki, 38 Mavromichali str, 54248 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Papanicolaou
Alexis
A
Hitoglou
Areti
A
Kalogiannidis
Ioannis
I
Makedos
Anastasios
A
Vrazioti
Violeta
V
Goutzioulis
Michalis
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12