Plasma total homocysteine, pregnancy complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Hordaland Homocysteine study

Abstract

Background: Total homocysteine (tHcy) measured in serum or plasma is a marker of folate status and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate associations between tHcy and complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy.

Design: Plasma tHcy values measured in 1992-1993 in 5883 women aged 40-42 y were compared with outcomes and complications of 14492 pregnancies in the same women that were reported to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway from 1967 to 1996.

Results: When we compared the upper with the lower quartile of plasma tHcy, the adjusted risk for preeclampsia was 32% higher [odds ratio (OR): 1. 32; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.77; P for trend = 0.02], that for prematurity was 38% higher (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.75; P for trend = 0.005), and that for very low birth weight was 101% higher (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.27; P for trend = 0.003). These associations were stronger during the years closest to the tHcy determination (1980-1996), when there was also a significant relation between tHcy concentration and stillbirth (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 0.98, 4.21; P for trend = 0.02). Neural tube defects and clubfoot had significant associations with plasma tHcy. Placental abruption had no relation with tHcy quartile, but the adjusted OR when tHcy concentrations >15 micromol/L were compared with lower values was 3.13 (95% CI: 1.63, 6. 03; P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Elevated tHcy concentration is associated with common pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes.