STUDY OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE, VITAMIN B12 AND FOLIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH PREECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality. Its pathophysiology is still not clear. Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid, which damages smooth muscle of the vessel wall. The objective of this study was to correlate serum homocysteine with vitamin B12 and folic acid level in preeclampsia and normal pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: The study reviewed a total of 150 women with pregnancy. These participants are categorized into three groups: healthy pregnant group, mild preeclampsia group and severe preeclampsia group. The three study groups were statistically similar in aspects of maternal and gestational age.
Results: The mean serum homocysteine level was found 15.67 ± 0.73 µmol/l in mild preeclampsia group 19.18 ± 0.46µmol/l in severe preeclampsia group and 12.44 ± 0.39 µmol/l in the group of normal pregnant women.
Conclusion: Serum homocysteine levels were significantly increased in patients with mild and severe preeclampsia than the healthy normotensive pregnant women. Serum homocysteine showed significant positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in mild and severe preeclampsia.