JCOGP
Journal of Controversies in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics

As of January 2023, our "Journal of Controversies Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics" has been published under the Medihealth Academy to publish all articles, reviews and case reports on Pediatrics, especially in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In order to facilitate the citation of the articles, to take our place in internationally respected indexes and to reach a wider readership, we will pay attention to the fact that our article language is only English in terms of acceptance.

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Original Article
Trimester-specific and postpartum reference ranges for homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels: a prospective study
Abstract
Aims: Elevated homocysteine levels during pregnancy have been linked to various adverse outcomes, including gestational complications and congenital anomalies. Despite the significance of monitoring homocysteine, reference ranges specific to pregnancy remain poorly defined, particularly within diverse populations. This prospective study aimed to establish trimester-specific reference ranges for serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in a Turkish pregnant population and to evaluate the interrelationships among these biomarkers.
Methods: A total of 220 pregnant women were prospectively assessed across three trimesters and a postpartum period, categorized into four groups: first trimester (n=52), second trimester (n=51), third trimester (n=62), and postpartum (n=55). Serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate were measured, and correlations among these variables were analyzed. Statistical analyses of the collected data were conducted utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0.
Results: The determined homocysteine reference ranges were 2.82-6.82, 1.08-7.82, 0.18-8.46, and 0.10-12.13 µmol/L for the first, second, third trimesters, and postpartum period, respectively. Significant negative correlations were observed between homocysteine and both vitamin B12 (r=-0.180, p=0.007) and folate (r=-0.374, p=0.001). Notably, age-adjusted homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in the postpartum group compared to all trimesters (p=0.001), while vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower in the postpartum period (p=0.001).
Conclusion: This study presents the results of a comprehensive investigation into the reference ranges for homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels during pregnancy and postpartum in the Turkish population. The findings of this study underscore the critical importance of regular monitoring of these biomarkers for maternal and fetal health. It is also noted that elevated homocysteine levels are particularly pronounced in the postpartum period. The study concludes with a call for future research to investigate the associations of these biomarkers in more depth in different ethnic groups and geographical regions.

Keywords : Homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, pregnancy, postpartum

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 4, 2025
Page : 77-81
https://doi.org/10.51271/JCOGP-0054
Article Information
Received : 11 Haz 2025
Accepted : 08 Eki 2025
Published : 30 Eki 2025
Corresponding Author :

İsmail Bağlar: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kartal Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Bağlar İ, Özbay K, Kara SS, et al. Trimester-specific and postpartum reference ranges for homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels: a prospective study. J Controv Obstetr Gynecol Ped. 2025;3(4):77-81.

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