Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid as indicators of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in pregnancy

Deficiency of folate during pregnancy is associated with megaloblastic anaemia. Lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 have been reported in mothers whose offspring had neural tube defects compared to unaffected controls. Increased methylmalonic acid levels are a sensitive indicator of mild vitamin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and laboratory haematology 2001-06, Vol.23 (3), p.161-165
Main Authors: Mcmullin, M.F., Young, P.B., Bailie, K.E.M., Savage, G.A., Lappin, T.R.J., White, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - blood
Female
folate
Folic Acid Deficiency - blood
Folic Acid Deficiency - diagnosis
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Hematology
Homocysteine
Homocysteine - blood
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Management. Prenatal diagnosis
Medical sciences
methylmalonic acid
Methylmalonic Acid - blood
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications - blood
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - blood
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency - diagnosis
vitamin B12
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Summary:Deficiency of folate during pregnancy is associated with megaloblastic anaemia. Lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 have been reported in mothers whose offspring had neural tube defects compared to unaffected controls. Increased methylmalonic acid levels are a sensitive indicator of mild vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated homocysteine levels denote vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. We have investigated the relationship between serum concentration of total homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, vitamin B12 and folate in pregnancy. A significant inverse correlation was found between homocysteine and red cell folate and, to a lesser extent, serum folate. In addition, a significant inverse correlation was found between methylmalonic acid and vitamin B12. No significant relationship was found between homocysteine and vitamin B12. The relationship between red cell folate and serum folate and homocysteine may be useful for detecting borderline folate deficiency in pregnancy and indicate pregnancies at risk of neural tube defect. These sensitive assays are useful tools for the further investigation of folate vitamin B12 and metabolism in normal and abnormal pregnancy.
ISSN:0141-9854
1365-2257
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2257.2001.00370.x