Abstract

MATERNAL SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE LEVEL IN LESS THAN 18 WEEKS PERIOD OF GESTATION AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES

Gagandeep Kaur, Vijaya M.* and Shraddha Shetty

Abstract

Aim: To find out correlation between increased levels of homocysteine in less than 18 weeks period of gestation and its effect on the outcome of pregnancy and to study the adverse pregnancy outcomes due to increased levels of homocysteine. Methods: The present study was a prospective type cohort study, comprised of 60 women at period of gestation less than 18 weeks. Serum homocysteine levels were measured and patients were followed up for the outcome of pregnancy. Results: A significant result was obtained in cases with spontaneous abortion, hypertension complicated pregnancy, foetal growth restriction and high homocysteine levels. Also significant result was obtained in women with history of abnormal outcome in previous pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension in this pregnancy and high homocysteine levels. Homocysteinemia was seen in 90% of patients with hypertension complicated pregnancy and is significant. 66.7% of patients with foetal growth restriction had homocysteinemia. 66.7% of patients with spontaneous abortion had homocysteinemia. Homocysteinemia was seen in 71.5% of patients with preterm labour but it was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Positive correlation was obtained between elevated maternal serum homocysteine level in early pregnancy and spontaneous abortions, foetal growth restriction and hypertension complicated pregnancies.

Keywords: Homocysteine; Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; Fetal growth restriction; Spontaneous abortion.