Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2004 Mar;47(3):502-506.

The Significance of Plasma Homocysteine Level in Pregnant Women with Severe Preeclampsia

• Leem JC
• Lee HJ
• Yang JI
• Kim HS
• Ryu HS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations is a independent risk factor of atherosclerosis. We investigated the level of plasma homocysteine is associated with severe preeclampsia.
METHODS
28 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (study group) and 26 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (control group), matched by maternal age, gestational age, pre-pregnant body mass index and parity were enrolled into this study. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours before delivery and just 24 hours after delivery. The level of plasma homocysteine was measured by fluorescent polarization immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t test.
RESULTS
Plasma homocysteine levels in the women with severe preeclampsia were significantly elevated than those of control group in antepartum and postpartum 24 hours [7.17 2.71 vs 5.37 1.49 g/mL (mean SD); p<0.05 in antepartum, 6.38 2.03 vs 4.48 +/- 0.40 g/mL (mean SD); p<0.05 in postpartum].
CONCLUSION
In the present study the increase of plasma homocysteine in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia is related the pathogenesis of preeclampsia as like in atherosclerosis and may be used as a marker of preeclampsia by further research.

Keyword

Homocysteine; Severe pre-eclampsia

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Body Mass Index
Female
Gestational Age
Homocysteine*
Humans
Immunoassay
Maternal Age
Parity
Plasma*
Postpartum Period
Pre-Eclampsia*
Pregnant Women*
Risk Factors
Homocysteine