A study of changes in homocysteine levels during normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

To find out changes in homocysteine levels that occur during normal pregnancy and pregnancy with pre-eclamptic toxaemia and also to find out correlation between homocysteine concentration and preeclamptic toxaemia a study was carried out among 90 women of which 30 were control which included normotensive non-pregnant women and the study group I comprised 30 pregnant normotensive women and the study group II comprised 30 pregnant women with pre-eclamptic toxaemia. Serum homocysteine was measured in all subjects using fluorescence polarisation immuno-assay. Control group had highest mean homocysteine levels while the study group I had least mean homocysteine levels (p < 0.001). Levels were significantly higher in subjects with BP > 146/100 mm Hg as compared to subjects with BP >140/90 and <146/100 mm Hg (p=0.017). There was significant difference between study group I and II at same gestational age. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was observed in pre-eclamptic females, also it was found that homocysteine levels were directly correlated with severity of pre-eclampsia.