ABSTRACT
To determine the association between plasma homocysteine level and early onset severe preeclampsia, and its relevance as a potential marker for predicting preeclampsia. A case control study was conducted on twenty early onset severe preeclamptic pregnant women [group I], and ten normotensive pregnant women as controls [group 11]. The gestational age of both groups ranged between 22 and 26 weeks. Routine laboratory tests, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, platelet count, and plasma homocysteine were measured for both groups. Infirmed consent of the patients was taken. The laboratory findings showed significantly higher mean serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and plasma homocysteine of group [I] compared to the control group [P = 0.00001, P = 0.0000], P = 0.00001 respectively]. However, the mean platelet count of group [I] was significantly lower than that of the control group [P = 0.0000]]. Positive significant correlations were found between plasma homocysteine and systolic blood pressure [r = 0.936, P = 0.001], diastolic blood pressure [r = 0.954, P = 0.001], serum creatinine [r = 0.954, P = 0.001], and serum uric acid [r = 0.963, P = 0.001]. On the other hand, a negative significant correlation was found between homocysteine and platelet count [r = 0.880, P = 0.00]]. Plasma homocysteine concentration is significantly increased in early onset severe preeclampsia and it might contribute in the pathophysiology of the disease. It may be considered as a marker in early onset severe preeclampsia