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Updated: Jun 10, 2025
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Serum Homocysteine Levels and Their Relationship With Serum Vitamin B12, Folate, and Ferritin Levels in
Likhitha S1, Suman Kumari2, Manoj Kumar1
1Pediatrics, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, IND.
Insights
This study found that higher vitamin B12 levels correlate with lower homocysteine in children with thalassemia. This highlights the importance of monitoring vitamin B12 in managing thalassemia.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Transfusion-dependent thalassemia requires ongoing management, often involving monitoring of nutritional status.
- Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with various health complications.
- Limited data exists on homocysteine levels and associated nutrient status in pediatric thalassemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum homocysteine levels in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children.
- To examine the relationship between homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin levels in this population.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive observational study was conducted over six months.
- 100 transfusion-dependent thalassemic children (aged 1-18 years) were enrolled.
- Serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin were measured.
Main Results:
- Mean homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin levels were 10.93 µmol/L, 164.03 pg/mL, 7.69 ng/mL, and 2175.78 ng/mL, respectively.
- A significant negative correlation was found between serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine (r=-0.285, p=0.004).
- Non-significant positive correlations were observed between homocysteine and folic acid (r=0.033, p=0.748) and ferritin (r=0.179, p=0.075).
Conclusions:
- Serum homocysteine levels are significantly negatively correlated with vitamin B12 levels in thalassemic children.
- No significant correlation was found between homocysteine and folic acid or ferritin levels.
- These findings suggest a potential role for vitamin B12 monitoring in managing homocysteine levels in pediatric thalassemia.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess serum homocysteine levels and their relationship with serum vitamin B12, folate, and ferritin levels in transfusion-dependent thalassemic children. This study was proposed due to a paucity of literature regarding the status of homocysteine levels in thalassemic children and their relationship with the levels of vitamins and iron overload (serum ferritin values).
Methodology:
A descriptive observational study was conducted on transfusion-dependent thalassemic children aged 1-18 years, who were registered at the Thalassemia Day Care Centre (TDCC), Umaid Hospital, Dr. SN Medical College, Jodhpur, over a period of six months.
Results:
A total of 100 children were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 8.89±4.50 years. The mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin level in the last six months was 8.23±1.02 gm/dL. The mean serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and ferritin were 10.93±3.72 µmol/L, 164.03±80.54 pg/mL, 7.69±5.77 ng/mL, and 2175.78±1341.39 ng/mL, respectively. A statistically significant negative correlation was detected between serum vitamin B12 concentration and serum homocysteine concentration (r=-0.285, p=0.004). Statistically non-significant positive correlations were detected between serum folic acid and serum homocysteine levels (r=0.033, p=0.748) and between serum ferritin and serum homocysteine levels (r=0.179, p=0.075).
Conclusion:
A statistically significant negative correlation between serum homocysteine and vitamin B12 levels was noted, whereas statistically non-significant positive correlations were observed between serum homocysteine and serum folic acid levels and between serum homocysteine and serum ferritin levels.
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