European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been known to cause many vascular diseases. But the exact pathogenesis of Hyperhomocysteinemia induced vascular damage is not clearly known. Several factors such as oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle cell proliferation and coagulation abnormalities have been attributed to Hyperhomocysteinemia. Serum homocysteine was estimated on 5 ml of serum by competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method and the specimen was transported to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection. Results were assured as per standard quality control regime. The normal values of serum homocysteine in pregnancy during second trimester is 2-26.9 μmol/L, while it is 3.2-21.4 μmol/L in third trimester. Proportion of cases with normal level of serum homocysteine were observed in 37.5% and that controls were 87.5%. Proportion of cases with mild elevated levels of serum homocysteine were observed in 37.5% and that controls were 12.5%. Proportion of cases with moderate and marked elevated levels of serum homocysteine were observed in 17.5% and 7.5% respectively as compared to zero controls. This difference in the proportion of serum homocysteine levels amongst cases and controls was found statistically significant i.e. (p<0.05). It means serum homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in preeclampsia cases in our study.