RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SERUM LEVELS OF FOLIC ACID WITH THE RESULTS OF FIRST TRIMESTER DOWN SYNDROME SCREENING METHODS AND FETAL KARYOTYPE IN HIGH RISK PREGNANT WOMEN REFERRING TO THE ALZAHRA EDUCATIONAL HOSPITAL OF TABRIZ

Background & Aims: To investigate associations between serum levels of folic acid with the results of the first trimester Down syndrome screening methods and fetal karyotype in high-risk pregnant women. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of folic acid in 232 high risk pregnant women were measured using ELISA method and Down syndrome screening was done using karyotyping. Statistical analysis was done applying multivariate logistic regression by backward strategy tests. Results: In our study, 97% of participants consumed folic acid; serum level measurements revealed that 6.9% of participants had low folic acid levels and 5.6% of Down syndrome positive screenings had positive karyotype. Based on the results of multivariate logistic regression test, NT (Nuchal Translucency) (OR: 4.72, [4.01-11.07]) and husband age (OR: 1.23, [1.05-1.43]) were the predictors of fetal Down syndrome karyotype in high-risk pregnant women. There were no significant relationships between serum folic acid levels and any of the Down syndrome karyotype results (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that serum folic acid concentration is not the predictive marker of Down syndrome karyotype in high risk pregnant women who have positive Down syndrome screening through double marker test.