Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels in pregnant Nepali women. Should cobalamin supplementation be considered?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels as markers of functional cobalamin and folate status in pregnant Nepali women. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Subjects: A sub-sample (n=382) of all pregnant women (n=2856) coming for their first antenatal visit in a 12 month period, 1994-1995. The selection of the sub-sample was based on maternal haematocrit values, categorised into three groups: severely, moderately and non-anaemic women. As serum levels of total homocysteine (s-tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (s-MMA) were similar in the three groups, pooled data are presented. Women who had already received micronutrient supplementation (n = 54) were excluded. The remaining women (n = 328) were included in the statistical analysis. Results: Overall mean values ([+ or -] s.d.) of s-tHcy and s-MMA were 9.5 ([+ or -] 4.2) pmol/l and 0.39 ([+ or -] 0.32) ltmol/l, respectively. Elevated s-tHcy (>7.51tmol/l) was found in 68% of the women, while 61% had elevated s-MMA (>0.261tmol/l). Low s-cobalamin values (< 150pmol/l) were observed in 49% of the women, while only 7% had low s-folate values ( Conclusions: Functional cobalamin deficiency was very common in the study population, while functional folate deficiency was rather uncommon. We suggest considering cobalamin supplementation to pregnant Nepali women. Sponsorship: The Norwegian Research Council and the Norwegian Universities Committee for Development, Research and Education. Descriptors: cobalamin; folate; homocysteine; methylmalonic acid; Nepal; pregnancy
Introduction Pregnant women in developing countries are vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, which may be associated with maternal and foetal morbidity. Due to regional and cultural differences, the importance of the [...]