European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Low plasma homocysteine (Hyc) level during an uncomplicated pregnancy was first demonstrated by Kang et al. almost 20 yrs ago, & this has subsequently been confirmed by numerous investigators. Plasma homocysteine concentrations are 30-60% lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women & the lowest levels are observed in the second trimester.
The study was a hospital based prospective study & carried out in the setting of department of Pathology & department of Obstetrics and Gynae, N.S.C.B Medical College over 100 Females. Homocysteine Tests are conducted at Path Care Labs. The cases with Pre-eclampsia have higher probabilities of having raised Hcy by 1.92% more compared with Non Pre-eclamptic cases and 0.21 at the worst being the Upper and Lower limits of 95% confidence intervals for Odds Ratio (OR=0.66). As per our study the Hcy levels were much raised in patients who were not taking Fe/Folate supplements (50.9%) as compared to those taking Fe/Folate supplement (4.3%) & this difference is highly significant indicating that Folate supplements help in keeping Hcy levels normal.