The aim of this study is to evaluate the folate, vitamin B12, fluoride and homocysteine levels in newborns with neural tube defect (NTD) and their parents. The study included 35 neonates with NTD and their parents, 31 neonates with congenital anomalies other than NTD formed control 1, 24 neonates with no anomalies, with the highest birth order and normal siblings formed control 2. These groups matched for socio-economic and nutritional status. Demographic, antenatal history, parental habits, folate (RBC, whole blood and serum), serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels were estimated using chemiluminescence technology. Chi-square test was used to assess association between factors and the outcome. One-way ANOVA was used to compare means in the three groups. To determine the risk factors for NTD, odds ratios (95% CI) was computed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis (STATA 9.0). No difference was found between NTD group and 'control 1' group. The fathers in NTD group had significantly lower folate and vitamin B12 and a higher homocysteine, in comparison to 'control 2' group (i.e. with normal babies). The babies with NTD had higher homocysteine while their mothers had significantly low folate levels in comparison to 'control 2' mothers. Low RBC folate, low serum vitamin B12 and high plasma homocysteine in both the parents had an association with NTD. Multivariate logistic regression revealed high homocysteine of father as the only independent significant risk factor [OR(95% CI):2.6(2.6, 226)] for NTD and also for other anomalies. NTD (and other congenital anomalies) may not only be due to nutritional deficiency in the mothers but also due to more intricate gene-nutrient interaction defects in the affected families, probably some abnormal folate-homocysteine metabolism. These defects seem to be affect the fathers more severely and in all likelihood, get transmitted to the babies from either or both the parents. The emergence of father's serum homocysteine levels as an independent risk factor for NTD and also other congenital anomalies calls for further studies to evaluate if this can be taken as a marker for congenital anomalies in the fetus during antenatal screening.

Twenty preeclamptic, 25 normotensive pregnant and 25 healthy nonpregnant women were analyzed with regard to serum malonaldehyde (MDA), vitamin E and lipid profile. In preeclampsia, MDA was significantly higher than control. MDA also showed high correlation to the level of blood pressure. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were increased in normotensive women and still higher in preeclamptic women. A highly significant fall in vitamin E levels in preeclamptic women was noted as compared to control groups. Our study supports the view that an increased lipid peroxidation may be involved in vasoconstriction in preeclampsia.

High plasma vitamin C may lower risk of cardiovascular disease as indicated by direct association with plasma high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and HDL2 cholesterol. Plasma lipids and vitamin C were determined in 316 women and 511 men (aged 19-95 y). After adjustment for age, sex, obesity, and smoking, plasma vitamin C was directly associated with HDL- (P = 0.01) and HDL2 cholesterol (P = 0.0002). When men and women with diseases that might affect lipids were excluded, associations between plasma vitamin C and HDL- and HDL2 cholesterol persisted, though the relationships were strongest in older men. Comparisons of diets in a subset (n = 485) who completed 7-d diet records were made. Total fat, saturated fatty acids, energy from fat, and cholesterol intakes were not associated with plasma vitamin C. Mean intakes of vitamin C were well above recommended dietary allowances. These findings suggest that high plasma concentrations of vitamin C may lower atherogenic risk.