The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Association of Serum Levels of Folic Acid and Homocysteine in Pregnant Women with Pre-Eclampsia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Azar Jafari 1
Somayeh Reiisi 2
Shahrbano Parchami 3
Kihan Ghatreh 4
Negar Amiri 1
Sepideh Miraj 5
1 Resident of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 Ph.D. Student of Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
3 B.Sc. of Biotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2014.3020
Abstract
Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is one of the main cause of death in pregnant mothers and their babies, but its cause is still unknown. Studies have shown that increased maternal homocysteine ​​in the blood is associated with various diseases such as pre-eclampsia. For inhibition from serum homocysteine elevation, high dose folic acid can be prescribed in these cases. This study aimed to assess the association of serum levels of folic acid and homocysteine with pre-eclampsia.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 125 women with pre-eclampsia and 125 healthy pregnant women referred to Hajar hospital of Shahrekord, Iran during 2011-2012. 5 ml of blood sample was taken and serum levels of folic acid and homocysteine ​​were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and t-test, chi-square, two-way ANOVA and correlation regresion. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Mean levels of homocysteine were elevated in cases with pre-eclampsia compared to control group (p=0.01) (11.27±4.8 vs. 9.9±3.9 µmol/l) and mean level of folic acid were significantly lower in cases with pre-eclampsia (p=0.002) (9.96±4.3 vs. 8.39±3.6 ng/ml). BMI, age, gestational age and neonatal weight have been shown to be different statistically in two groups (p<0.001) and other variables such as education level revealed no significant differences between two groups (p=0.257).
Conclusion: Mothers with high serum levels of homocysteine and folic acid and high age and BMI are more at risk of pre-eclampsia. It seems that upper dose of folic acid can prevent or decrease the risk of pre-eclampsia.
Keywords
folic acid
Homocysteine
Pre-eclampsia
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