Homocysteine (Hct) is a substance produced in the metabolism of methionine, a basic type of amino acid and obtained from the daily diet.Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation is associated with elevated total homocysteine (tHct), particularly among women with low folate intake.
Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHct) is caused by many factors, including genetic defects, folate deficiency, vitamin B6 and B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, medications, aging, and kidney dysfunction.
Elevated Hct in peripheral blood can lead to coronary artery dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and embolic diseases.
Compared to non-pregnant women, the Hct level is lower in normal pregnancies.
Recent studies reported that HHct was associated with numerous pregnancy complications, such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), preeclampsia (PE), preterm delivery, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
SOURCE: Biomed Res Int 2021
