Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Homocysteinaemia during pregnancy and placental disease
Objective: Hyperhomocysteinaemia, due to enzymatic defects or to the lack of some vitamin cofactors (vit. B6, vit. B 12, folic acid), could be associated with obstetric disease. The aim of this study was to investigate placental disease in women with mildmoderate hyperhomocysteinaemia. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of seven pregnant women with severe early onset preeclampsia were assessed for hyperhomocysteinaemia. The obtained values were compared with those of a control group. In all cases, tissue samples obtained from the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes were studied. One of the patients was treated empirically with folic acid during a subsequent pregnancy. Results: Patient homocysteine plasma levels were higher than in the control group. In all cases several placental abnormalities were found. The patient treated with folic acid had a good pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinaemia during pregnancy could be responsible for placental abnormalities. Treatment with folic acid could improve pregnancy outcome in women with homocysteine metabolism abnormalities.