Comparison of Serum Homocystein and Folic Acid Levels in Gestational Diabetes with Normal Pregnancy

Introduction & High levels of homocystein are a risk factor for insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and cardio-vascular complications. This study was done to assess serum homocystein and folic acid levels and their relationship in women with gestational diabetes and compare them with normal pregnant women. This analytic epidemiologic case-control study was performed in Qazvin Kosar hospital in 2013-2015. 120 singleton pregnant women with 24-28 weeks of gestation according to 2-hour 75g oral glucose tolerance test were assigned to two groups; gestational diabetes (n=60), and normal pregnancy (n=60). Serum homocystein and folic acid levels were measured in two groups. Data were analyzed with statistical t-test and correlation method. In gestational diabetes serum homocystein level was significantly higher (P<0.001) and folic acid was significantly lower (P<0.001) than normal pregnancy group. No relation-ship was observed between serum homocystein and serum folate. In both groups, serum folic acid was significantly related to fasting blood sugar. This relationship was inverse in gesta-tional diabetes group (P<0.001, r = - 0.512) and direct in normal pregnancy group (P=0.001 r =0.417). It seems folic acid has a role in regulation of serum homocystein level and blood sugar.