The risk of folate and vitamin B(12) deficiencies associated with hyperhomocysteinemia among pregnant women.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the folate and vitamin B (12) levels in pregnant and nonpregnant women to evaluate the risk for hyperhomocysteinemia and for folate and vitamin B (12) deficiencies during pregnancy. Healthy pregnant women (n = 92; 24 to 28 gestational weeks; 18 to 39 years old) and nonpregnant women (n = 176; 18 to 39 years old) were sampled for serum levels of folate, vitamin B (12), and homocysteine. Pregnant women were less likely to have folate deficiency (8.0% versus 12.0%) but much more likely to have vitamin B (12) deficiency (46.1% versus 0.6%) than nonpregnant women. Those with lower dietary vitamin intakes were more likely to have vitamin B (12) deficiency. Serum folate and vitamin B (12) were negatively correlated with homocysteine among pregnant women. Pregnant women with folate deficiency were more likely to have hyperhomocysteinemia than those without folate deficiency. The vitamin B (12) level associated with hyperhomocysteinemia was lower in pregnant subjects than in nonpregnant subjects in this study, indicating that pregnant women require vitamin B (12) supplementation.

• Authors: Hyesook Park, Young Ju Kim, Eun Hee Ha, Ki Nam Kim, Namsoo Chang
• Journal: American journal of perinatology (Am J Perinatol) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 469-75 (Nov 2004) ISSN: 0735-1631 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15580543 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B 12

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Folic Acid (blood)
• Folic Acid Deficiency (blood, epidemiology, etiology)
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Humans
• Hyperhomocysteinemia (blood, epidemiology, etiology)
• Korea (epidemiology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications (blood, epidemiology, etiology)
• Risk Factors
• Vitamin B 12 (blood)
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency (blood, epidemiology, etiology)