title: Hyperhomocysteinemia as a Risk Factor for IUGR.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with intrauterine growth retardation.
  
  
  METHODS
  76 patients with intrauterine growth retardation were studied and compared with 50 controls which included pregnant patients without any pregnancy complications. Fasting Plasma homocysteine levels were measured and statistical analysis using tests of significance and logistic regression analysis was performed. Those in the study group were given homocysteine lowering agents for 6 wks and pregnancy outcome was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  57.8 % women in the study group were found to have hyperhomocysteinemia. Logistic Regression analysis shows an OR of 2.45 in favor of occurrence of IUGR if homocysteine levels are raised which is statistically significant. Mean plasma homocysteine levels decreased after treatment for 6 wks but this decrease in the case of placebo group is marginal whereas the decrease in the homocysteine levels the treatment group. This implies that treatment has a definitive role in lowering of plasma homocysteine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with IUGR and should be identified as a risk factor as correction favors pregnancy outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, New Type IV/7, Kanpur, 208002 Uttar Pradesh India.
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: Preeti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubay
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhagoliwal
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Geetika
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tyagi
keywords: Hyperhomocysteinemia; IUGR
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