A Comparative Study of Serum Homocysteine Levels in Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Disorders and Normotensive Pregnant Women

Background & Objective: One of the significant risks for both maternal and fetal health is hypertensive disorder in pregnancy including preeclampsia and eclampsia. Elevated homocysteine levels have been implicated in endothelial dysfunction causing several complications in pregnancy including preeclampsia, IUGR and meconium staining of liquor. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine levels and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and to examine the relationship between homocysteine concentration and disease severity. Materials & Methods: This prospective observational case-control study was conducted on ۱۲۰ pregnant women (۶۰ hypertensive cases and ۶۰ normotensive controls) between ۲۸ and ۴۰ weeks of gestation. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured enzymatically, with levels ≥۱۱.۲۳ µmol/L considered hyperhomocysteinemic. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۱۵.۰) and statistical tests. P<۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: Hypertensive pregnancies had significantly higher mean homocysteine levels (۱۴.۴۷ ± ۷.۴۲ µmol/L) than normotensive pregnancies (۶.۸۲ ± ۲.۹۸ µmol/L, p=۰.۰۰۱). Also elevated homocysteine levels were positively correlated with the severity of hypertensive disorders, with the highest concentrations observed in cases of severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. Conclusion: The present study highlights the potential of homocysteine as a biomarker for early risk assessment in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, offering a valuable tool for screening and management to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Further large-scale studies are needed for the use of homocysteine in clinical settings.

کلیدواژه ها:

hyperhomocysteinemia ، Preeclampsia ، Biomarkers ، Intrauterine growth restriction