Maternal homocysteine level and markers used in first-trimester screening for fetal down syndrome

Po Jen Cheng*, Shang Yu Huang, Sheng Wen Shaw, Ho Yen Chueh, T'Sang T.Ang Hsieh

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined possible relationships between homocysteine and markers used in first-trimester screening for Down syndrome. Pregnancies were categorized into 4 groups according to quartile ranking of maternal plasma homocysteine concentration. Of the 595 pregnancies, 147 were assigned to group 1 (homocysteine level 0.6-3.5 μmol/L), 156 to group 2 (homocysteine level 3.6-4.5 μmol/L), 142 to group 3 (homocysteine level 4.6-5.6 μmol/L), and 150 pregnancies to group 4 (homocysteine level 5.7-12.6 μmol/L). No significant difference in mean nuchal translucency and mean free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free-βhCG) multiples of the median (MoM) levels were observed. However, the mean pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) MoM levels were significantly decreased in inverse relationship with homocysteine level among all 4 groups (F = 31.127, P <.001). If homocysteine is assayed as part of the first-trimester maternal serum testing, it is important to adjust for homocysteine concentration when using PAPP-A serum level for calculating the risk of fetal aneuploidy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1130-1134
Number of pages5
JournalReproductive Sciences
Volume17
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 2010

Keywords

  • fetal aneuploidy
  • free β-human chorionic gonadotropin
  • homocysteine
  • nuchal translucency
  • pregnancy-associated plasma protein A

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