Homocysteine, red cell, and plasma folate concentrations and birth weight in Italian women: results from a prospective study

Methods. aEuro integral A cohort of pregnant women was identified in 21 Italian obstetric centers. Women were eligible at 8th--10th week of gestation. All women were followed up to delivery in order to collect information on pregnancy outcome and birth weight (BW). Results. aEuro integral Two hundred forty-four women were included in the analysis. In women not reporting current use of folate at study entry, the median homocysteine levels (mu mu mol/l) were 7.9, 8.1, and 8.5 at the 8th--10th, 16th, and 22nd week of gestation, respectively; the median red cells folate levels (nmol/dl) were 3.9, 6.1, and 7.0. The mean BW tended to be lower in the 2nd and 3rd tertile of homocysteine levels in comparison with the 1st tertile (p < 0.05 at the 8th--10th and 22nd week). The mean week of gestation at birth was higher in subjects in the 2nd and 3rd tertile of red cell folate at the 8th--10th and 16th week of gestation. Conclusion. aEuro integral This study estimated homocysteine and plasma folate levels in Italian pregnant women and suggested that homocysteine level was associated with BW.