Evaluation of homocysteine levels in individuals having nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate

CONTEXT Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL ± P) is a genetic predisposition involving defects in shape and makeup of the lip and palate. Elevation of homocysteine (Hcy) levels is seen in medical complications such as developmental anomalies causing neural tube defects, congenital vascular diseases, neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. Evaluation of serum Hcy levels forms an important feature to look further into molecular aspects. AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the Hcy levels in NSCL ± P cases by comparing with control cases having no orofacial deformities. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This study was performed with a biochemical assay in a research laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional prevalence study was done to compare the concentrations of Hcy between 25 NSCL ± P patients and 15 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from both the patients and controls and assessed for serum Hcy level using competent chemiluminescent immunoassay technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS The average Hcy concentration was 9.5 μmol/L in control group. There was an increase in Hcy concentration among the NSCL ± P cases with an average value of 18.4 μmol/L. The results were found to be statistically significant using Student's t-test. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that Hcy concentration has a significant elevation in NSCL ± P patients when compared with that of control cases.