A comparative study of folate and vitamin B12 serum levels in preeclamptic versus normotensive pregnant women in correlation with uterine and umbilical artery Doppler findings and pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE To detect the serum levels of folate and B12 in both preclamptic and normotensive pregnant women and to determine whether there is any relation between these levels with the uterine and umbilical artery Doppler indices as well as the pregnancy outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS This case controlled study comprised 79 pregnant patients with preeclampsia and 113 healthy, normotensive pregnant women with singleton pregnancies at gestational ages ranging from 34-40 weeks. Patients were not obese (BMI<30) and did not suffer from chronic hypertension, chronic renal or liver disease nor diabetes mellitus. Serum folate and B12 were detected in all cases. They were also subjected to a Doppler study of both the uterine and umbilical arteries. Serum folate and B12 blood levels as well as the Doppler study indices (RI and PI) were compared in both groups. RESULTS The serum folate level was significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than normal pregnant women (p<0.001). It was significantly correlated to uterine artery Doppler indices (RI and PI) and negatively correlated to umbilical artery Doppler indices (RI and PI). Low serum folate was significantly correlated to poor maternal outcome. Low serum folate was also significantly correlated to poor perinatal outcome. Serum B12 level was not significantly different in preeclamptic patients from the control group (P value=0.14). CONCLUSION Serum folate was significantly lower in preeclamptic pregnant women with a significant correlation to increased uterine and umbilical RI, PI and poor maternal and neonatal outcome.