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Folic acid, Vitamin B12, and homocysteine in smoking and non-smoking pregnant women
- Source :
-
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology . Jun2002, Vol. 103 Issue 1, p18. 4p. - Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- Introduction: Lower plasma levels of vitamins may result in hyperhomocysteinemia, a known risk factor in pregnancy. As smoking may alter nutrition, we were interested in its effect on folate and Vitamin B12 in pregnancy. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of 62 smoking and 76 non-smoking healthy pregnant women. Serum folic acid, Vitamin B12 and homocysteine were measured at four points in pregnancy: 0–10, 11–20, 21–30 and 31–40 weeks. Results: Folate concentrations of the smoking women decreased continuously during pregnancy, and were significantly lower than those of non-smoking women during the last 30 weeks. Vitamin B12 levels decreased significantly in both groups. The homocysteine levels were higher in the smoking group during the second-half of pregnancy. Discussion: Smoking women have lower and decreasing folate levels during pregnancy, possibly as a result of lower intake of these nutrients. Lower folate levels can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, a known risk factor for several complications in pregnancy. This is an other important reason to convince pregnant women to refrain from smoking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *HIGH-risk pregnancy
*VITAMINS
*SMOKING
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03012115
- Volume :
- 103
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 7813797
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-2115(02)00013-1