ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

to detect the serum levels of both folate and B12 in both preclamptic and normotensive pregnant women and to evaluate if there is any relation of these levels with the uterine and umbilical artery Doppler indices as well as the pregnancy outcome.

Study Design:

case-control study.

MATERIAL-METHODS:

This case controlled study comprised 79 pregnant patients with preeclampsia and 113 healthy, normotensive pregnant women with singleton pregnancy at gestational age ranging from 34- 40 weeks. Patients were not obese (BMI<30) and did not suffer from chronic hypertension, chronic renal or liver disease nor diabetes mellitus. Serum folate and B12 were detected in all cases. They were also subjected to Doppler study of both the uterine and umbilical arteries. Serum folate and B12 blood levels as well as the Doppler study indices (RI and PI) were compared in both groups.

RESULTS:

Serum folate level was significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than normal pregnant women (p<0.001). It was significantly correlated to uterine artery Doppler indices (RI and PI) and was also significantly negatively correlated to umbilical artery Doppler indices (RI and PI). Low serum folate was significantly correlated to poor maternal outcome (higher maternal serum creatinine, higher liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and lower platelet count. Low serum folate was significantly correlated to poor perinatal outcome (preterm labour, low birth weight, low Apgar score –less than 7 at 5minutes- and neonatal ICU admission). Serum B12 level was not significantly different in preeclamptic patients from control group (P value=0.14).

CONCLUSION:

Serum folate was significantly lower in preeclamptic pregnant women with significant correlation to increased uterine and umbilical RI, PI and poor maternal and neonatal outcome.