Comparative Study of Serum Homocysteine Level of Healthy Fertile Women and Patients with Recurrent Abortion

Recurrent abortion is a serious problem of obstetrics due to many different causes. Since homocysteine has important role in the embryonal implantation and growth, We did a comparative study of serum levels of homocysteine in patients with recurrent abortion and healthy fertile women. This descriptive and prospective study enrolled 60 nonpregnant women in 15-40 years of age who referred to obstetric clinic of Imam Hossein hospital in Tehran in 2007-2008 periods. Reproductive age was enrolled in this study. 30 women had history of recurrent abortion. Genetic, anatomical. Hormonal and immunological factors as the cause of abortion resulted in exclusion of the patients. 30 women with normal fertility history were selected as control group. The two groups were the same in other variables. The fasting serum homocysteine level was obtained in the patients with recurrent abortions (study group) and women in the control group. Data analysis was done by SPSS (13 version) and P value<0.05 was considered meaningful. The mean age was 29.9±7.5 and 30.1±5.3 in the study and control group respectively and there was no significant difference. The parity was 2.8±1.3 in the control group and 4.6±1.2 in the study group while the number of abortion in the study group was 4.13±1.02 and none in the control group. Although only higher than normal levels of homocysteine was seen in 3 patients of the recurrent abortion group, the mean level of serum homocysteine was significantly higher in the study group than the normal fertile women 10.05±3.8 µmol/L versus 8.2±2.3 µmol/L respectively). The vascular effects of hyperhomocysteinemia results in impaired implantation and growth of embryo ending in recurrent abortions. So checking the level of serum homocysteine is recommended in the evaluation of recurrent abortions and in case of increase prophylactic measures could be implemented.