Combining mid-trimester maternal plasma homocysteine with uterine artery doppler velocimetry: is it useful?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible association between mid-trimester maternal plasma homocysteine concentration, uterine artery Doppler measurements in a two-stage screening strategy, and outcome of pregnancy.


METHODS
This prospective observational study was conducted on healthy women undergoing screening for pre-eclampsia by uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 20-22 and 24-26 weeks of gestation. Abnormal uterine artery blood flow was defined as an average resistance index (RI) > 0.58 and/or bilateral early diastolic notch. Homocysteine measurement was performed by two competitive immunoassay methods involving two steps at 20-22 and 24-26 weeks' gestation.


RESULTS
Sixty women enrolled. Abnormal Doppler findings were found in 18 of 60 (30%) women at 20-22 weeks of gestation. This proportion was reduced to 10% (6/60) at 24-26 weeks of gestation, and two of these six women developed pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. There was no significant difference in the maternal plasma homocysteine levels in women with abnormal Doppler findings when compared with controls at first and second visits (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Mid-trimester maternal homocysteine concentration is not elevated in women with abnormal uterine artery Doppler findings in a two-stage screening method.
Guven
Melih A
MA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. mguven@ksu.edu.tr
Ertas
Ibrahim Egemen
IE
Kilinc
Metin
M
Coskun
Ayhan
A
Ekerbicer
Hasan
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012212:Rheology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*
D006710:Homocysteine