Homocysteine, folic acid and B-group vitamins in obstetrics and gynaecology

The amino acid homocysteine is of considerable medical importance because it is involved in the etiopathogeny of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a factor in the vascular damage that predisposes thrombogenesis and arteriosclerosis. It has also been related to a range. of obstetric and gynecologic complications. Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between increased levels of homocysteine and neural tube defects (NTD) and other congenital defects, spontaneous miscarriages, intrauterine growth retardation (IGR), preeclampsia and intrauterine fetal death. Folic acid and other B-group vitamins (B6 and B2) take part in the metabolism of homocysteine and the preventive administration of these vitamins may reduce some of the complications. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.