Elevated second trimester serum homocysteine levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to investigate the association between total serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), glucose intolerance and compare them with those of glucose tolerant pregnant women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12 and serum folate levels were prospectively measured in a total of 223 pregnant women who were grouped according to their status of glucose tolerance as gestational diabetes (abnormal 1-h and 3-h glucose tolerance test; n = 30), glucose intolerant (abnormal 1-h, but normal 3-h glucose tolerance test; n = 46) or normal controls (normal 1-h glucose test; n = 147).

RESULTS

Mean serum homocysteine concentration of women in gestational diabetes, glucose intolerants and normal controls at 24-28 weeks of gestation was 9.0 +/- 3.1, 8.1 +/- 2.5 and 7.4 +/- 1.6 micromol/l, respectively. The only statistically difference in homocysteine levels was observed between women with gestational diabetes and normal controls (P < 0.01). However, no difference was observed for vitamin B12 and folate levels.

CONCLUSION

Second trimester serum homocysteine concentrations are higher among women with GDM, as compared to normal controls.