Maternal and umbilical homocysteine in preeclampsia

Abstract

Background and purpose: Were to assess the association between homocysteine levels and development of preeclampsia, to determine homocysteine levels in fetal circulation, to differentiate homocysteine levels in mild and severe preeclampsia and to compare homocysteine levels in pregnant women with preeclampsia with homocysteine levels measured in the same group of women six months after delivery.

Material and methods: The study included 55 pregnant women with mild or severe preeclampsia (hypertensia with proteinuria), while control group of 50 healthy pregnant women. Maternal and umbilical blood homocysteine levels were determined by the fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Shapiro-Wilks, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon statistical tests performed for statistical analysis.

Results: In women with preeclampsia, the mean homocysteine level was by 0.744 μmol/L higher than in control women; with mild preeclampsia, the level was by 2.752 μmol/L lower as compared to the women with severe preeclampsia (p < 0.0001). In women with preeclampsia, the mean umbilical blood homocysteine level was by 0.268 μmol/L lower than the respective level measured in control group (p < 0,0001). In women with preeclampsia, the mean homocysteine level was by 0.878 μmol/L lower in the same group of women six months after delivery (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Homocysteine are lower in preeclamptic women six months after delivery. The neonates born to mothers with preeclampsia are not at a higher exposure to homocysteine.