Prediction of Preeclampsia & Other Obstetric Complications by Serum Homocysteine & Doppler

Second Trimester Maternal Serum Homocysteine Level & Uterine Artery Doppler for Prediction of Preeclampsia , Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) & Other Obstetric Complications

Second trimester homocysteine & uterine artery doppler will be assessed& the cases will be followed up till delivery for development of preeclampsia, IUGR(intra-uterine growth retardation) & other obstetric complications.

Spontaneous pregnancies with no risk factors will be included. Fasting plasma total homocysteine level samples will be collected between 15th & 19th weeks.

Uterine artery doppler between 18th & 22nd weeks.

Method 1: Screen positive cases will be considered if homocysteine level above 6.3umol/l

Method 2: Screen positive cases will be considered if they had bilateral notches and a mean resistivity index (RI) above 0.55, or unilateral notches and a mean RI above 0.65, or absence of notches and a mean RI above 0.7.

Method 3: Screen positive cases will be considered if they had bilateral notches and a mean RI above 0.55, or unilateral notches and a mean RI above 0.65, or absence of notches and a mean RI above 0.7 combined with homocysteine cut off value of 6.3umol / l.

Inclusion Criteria:

• spontaneous pregnancies with no risk factors

Exclusion Criteria:

• multiple pregnancies
• non intact renal function
• hypertension
• diabetes
• folic acid supplements
• antifolate drugs