Increased homocysteine levels exist in women with preeclampsia from early pregnancy

Objective: The present prospective study examines the levels of maternal plasma folate, vitamin B-12 and homocysteine in normotensive control (NC) women and women with preeclampsia (PE) from early pregnancy till delivery. Methods: The present study includes 126 NC and 62 PE women. Maternal blood was collected at 3 time points during pregnancy (T1 = 16th-20th weeks, T2 = 26th-30th weeks and T3 = at delivery). Levels of folate, vitamin B-12 and homocysteine were estimated by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. Results: Maternal plasma folate levels were similar between NC and PE women at all the time points across gestation. Maternal plasma vitamin B-12 levels were significantly higher in PE (p<0.05) as compared with NC at T2. Maternal plasma homocysteine levels were higher in PE as compared with NC at all the time points, i.e. T1, T2 (p<0.05 for both) and T3 (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that higher homocysteine levels exist in women with PE from early pregnancy and continue till delivery.