Neural tube defects Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(6):335-341
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600006
Objective: to analyze maternal and fetal folate status in cases of neural tube defects (NTD). Methods: a case-control study was designed with 14 cases of fetuses with neural tube defects (study group) and 14 cases of fetuses with other unrelated malformations (control group) gestational age matched, in low-risk pregnant women. Both total and methylated folic acid levels in fetal and maternal compartments using serum and tissular (red blood cells) concentrations and also average corpuscular volume, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were determined. Fetal and maternal samples were obtained immediately before termination of pregnancy. Results in both groups were compared using a gestational age paired t-test. Results: there were no statistically significant differences in fetal folate levels and fetal hematologic parameters between both groups However, both total (239.9 ng/mL in NTD against 399.1 ng/mL in control group, p=0.01) and methylated (201.9 ng/mL in NTD against 314.0 ng/mL in control group, p=0.02) maternal red blood cells folate levels were significantly lower in the neural tube defect group. Maternal serum folate levels were similar in study and control groups. Conclusion: this study showed that maternal red blood cell folate but not serum folate was significantly reduced in mothers of fetuses with neural tube defects.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(6):335-341
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000600006
Objective: to analyze maternal and fetal folate status in cases of neural tube defects (NTD). Methods: a case-control study was designed with 14 cases of fetuses with neural tube defects (study group) and 14 cases of fetuses with other unrelated malformations (control group) gestational age matched, in low-risk pregnant women. Both total and methylated folic acid levels in fetal and maternal compartments using serum and tissular (red blood cells) concentrations and also average corpuscular volume, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were determined. Fetal and maternal samples were obtained immediately before termination of pregnancy. Results in both groups were compared using a gestational age paired t-test. Results: there were no statistically significant differences in fetal folate levels and fetal hematologic parameters between both groups However, both total (239.9 ng/mL in NTD against 399.1 ng/mL in control group, p=0.01) and methylated (201.9 ng/mL in NTD against 314.0 ng/mL in control group, p=0.02) maternal red blood cells folate levels were significantly lower in the neural tube defect group. Maternal serum folate levels were similar in study and control groups. Conclusion: this study showed that maternal red blood cell folate but not serum folate was significantly reduced in mothers of fetuses with neural tube defects.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(8):449-453
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000800004
Purpose: to determine folate, vitamin B12 and ferritin levels in patients whose fetuses presented neural-tube defects (NTD). Blood folate and vitamin B12 act as cofactors of enzymes involved in DNA biosynthesis. Interruption of this process may block neural-tube closing. Vitamin supplementation with folate may reduce occurrence rates and recurrence of NTD, although there is concern about the fact that this prevention may mask vitamin B12 deficiency. Methods: vitamin B12 and ferritin determinations by enzyme immunoassay with microparticles and folic acid determination using the ion capture method (IMx ABBOTT). Results: the percentage of pregnant women with vitamin B12 deficirncy (serum levels < 150 pg/ml) was 11.8%. There was no case of folate deficiency (serum levels < 3.0 ng/ml) and prevalence of pregnant women with iron store deficiency was 47.1% (serum levels < ng/mg). Conclusions: occording to the results obtained in this study (prevalence of 11.8% of vitamin B12 and 0% of folate deficient pregnant women) we suggest that supplementation should be administered after serum vitamin B12 determination.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1998;20(8):449-453
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000800004
Purpose: to determine folate, vitamin B12 and ferritin levels in patients whose fetuses presented neural-tube defects (NTD). Blood folate and vitamin B12 act as cofactors of enzymes involved in DNA biosynthesis. Interruption of this process may block neural-tube closing. Vitamin supplementation with folate may reduce occurrence rates and recurrence of NTD, although there is concern about the fact that this prevention may mask vitamin B12 deficiency. Methods: vitamin B12 and ferritin determinations by enzyme immunoassay with microparticles and folic acid determination using the ion capture method (IMx ABBOTT). Results: the percentage of pregnant women with vitamin B12 deficirncy (serum levels < 150 pg/ml) was 11.8%. There was no case of folate deficiency (serum levels < 3.0 ng/ml) and prevalence of pregnant women with iron store deficiency was 47.1% (serum levels < ng/mg). Conclusions: occording to the results obtained in this study (prevalence of 11.8% of vitamin B12 and 0% of folate deficient pregnant women) we suggest that supplementation should be administered after serum vitamin B12 determination.