SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE, B12 AND FOLIC ACID LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS COMPARED TO NORMAL CONTROLS AND GLUCOSE INTOLERANT WOMEN

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Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between total plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and serum folic acid levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance and compare them with those of glucose tolerant pregnant women. Material methods: Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and serum folic acid levels were prospectively measured in a total of 190 pregnant women who were grouped according to their status of glucose tolerance. Pregnant women with a one hour blood glucose level < 140 mg/dl were considered glucose tolerant (Group A, n=111). Those with one hour blood glucose level > 140 mg/dl received a 3-h glucose tolerance test. Diagnosis of gestation¬al diabetes was based upon the criteria of Carpenter and Coustan (Group B, n=30). The third group consisted of pregnant women with a normal one hour glucose tolerance test but abnormal 3-h glucose tolerance test (Group C, n=49). Gestational age, Body Mass Index and age of the patients did not differ statistically at the time of diagnosis between the three groups. Results: The mean homocysteine concentration of women in group A, B and C at 24-28 weeks of gestation was 8.27 ± 3.31 umol/L (95% conŞdence interval 7.64 - 8.89), 9.03 ± 3.12 umol/L (95% conŞdence interval 7.86 - 8.31) and 8.66 ± 3.17 umol/L (95% conŞdence interval 7.73 - 9.59), respectively. The difference in homocysteine levels between these groups was not statistically signiŞcant (p>0.05). The serum homocysteine levels demonstrated a signiŞcant negative corre-lation with serum folic acid levels only in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (-0.574, p=0.001). Homocysteine lev¬els did not correlate with the body mass index (BMI) statistically (p>0.05). Conclusion: The serum homocysteine levels concentrations did not differ between glucose tolerant, intolerant and women with gestational diabetes mellitus. There is also no relationship between serum homocysteine levels and BMI in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

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