Thrombophilia and the associated risk of preclampsia, abruptio placentae, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and still birth has been studied extensively in the last few years. There is emerging evidence that the formation of thrombi in the placental blood circulation could cause impaired nutrition of the fetus, in turn leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes1.
Homocysteine, a sulphur containing amino acid, derived from the demthylation of methionine is thought to be an independent risk factor for vascular disease. Several studies conducted in pregnant women have reported a direct linkage between elevated levels of homocysteine and pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, and IUGR.
In a study comparing 30 pre-eclamptic women with 30 normotensive women of the same gestational age, the mean levels of homocysteine was significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic group than in the normotensive group. Additionally women in the pre-eclamptic group with elevated homocysteine levels showed an increased incidence of IUGR, IUD, still birth, and abruptio placentae2. In another study of 137 women it was noted that women who developed IUGR had reduced levels of RBC and increased levels of plasma homocysteine concentrations3. Studies have also shown that supplementation with Vitamins B-6, B-12, and Folic acid significantly reduces homocysteine levels in these women. Supplementation with these “homocysteine lowering vitamins” appears to be an effective, inexpensive, and safe way to not only reduce homocysteine levels but also to reduce the incidence of pregnancy related complications including IUGR, IUD, still birth, and abruption placentae4.
1. Editorial. Clinical Chemistry. 2003;49(9):1432-1433.
2. Ghike S, et al. JSAFOG. 2011;3(2):71-74.
3. Furness D, et al. Matern Child Nutr. 2011; Abs[Epub ahead of print].
4. Khatre P, et al. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2012;19(3):335-343.
