Folate and homocysteine levels in pregnancy

Abstract

This study aims to determine serum folate and plasma homocysteine levels in healthy pregnant women following a live birth and compare them with healthy non-pregnant women. Fifty healthy gravid multiparous women are included in the study and 25 normal non-pregnant female subjects act as controls (group I). The pregnant women are divided into two groups according to interpregnancy interval: group II (six months or less); group III (18-24 months). Venous blood samples are analysed for red blood cell folate and homocysteine, vitamin B12, serum folate and albumin, and serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST). There was a significant decrease in red cell folate and serum folate in group II compared to the control group (P<0.001). Serum vitamin B12 showed no significant difference. Plasma homocysteine and serum albumin showed significant decreases in both groups II and III compared to the control group. (P<0.001) There was significant positive correlation between homocysteine and serum albumin in the three studied groups. (r=0.42, P<0.001; r=0.45, P<0.001; r=0.51, P<0.001, respectively). There was significant negative correlation between red cell folate and homocysteine in the three studied groups. (r=-0.48, P<0.001; r=-0.53, P<0.001; r=-0.49, P<0.001, respectively). Two cases in group II showed signs of intrauterine growth retardation. The results suggest that pregnant females with short interpregnancy intervals are more likely to develop folate deficiency. Educational strategies are required to increase folate awareness among women to promote the benefits of folic acid supplementation. Mandatory folate fortification of foods should be defined and monitored.

The evaluation of serum homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 in patients complicated with preeclampsia

“…It needs folate as a substrate and vitamin B12 as a coenzyme. The absence or lack of any of these will lead to homocysteine accumulation (16). In several studies, the reverse correlation between levels of serum folate and homocysteine has been demonstrated (9, 10, 16, 20).…”

“…Previous studies have shown higher levels of homocysteine in preeclamptic women; they are detected in early pregnancy and remain elevated until delivery (15). Low maternal folate concentrations are associated with preeclampsia (9, 10, 16). The ability to screen women at risk for preeclampsia would increase the potential for strategies of prevention (8).…”

Folate, vitamin B12, ferritin and haemoglobin levels among women of childbearing age from a rural district in South India

“…A survey in urban adult population in South India also observed an age-related decrease in folic acid levels [33]. The folic acid deficiencies are likely to worsen with subsequent pregnancies [41] especially where the birth interval is short [42]. Vitamin B12 levels were not found to be associated with age, parity or current pregnancy and breastfeeding status.…”

Seasonal variation of nutrient intake in pregnancy: effects on infant measures and possible influence on diseases related to season of birth

“…If this disease is influenced by maternal nutrient intake, we speculate that the period of fetal risk is most likely the last months of brain development before birth when folate intake levels are low, and not the embryonic and early fetal period when the gross structure of the central nervous system is developing as nutrient intake levels are at their highest at this stage. Folate catabolism peaks in the third trimester when there is a maximal increase in fetal mass (Megahed and Taher, 2004). In later pregnancy, folate inadequacy results in intrauterine growth retardation possibly as a result of impaired cell proliferation and folate dependant vitamin and amino-acid metabolism (Scholl and Johnson, 2000).…”