Homocysteine Levels and Determinants among Chinese Women at Mid-pregnancy, Late Pregnancy, and Postpartum.

Zhen Yu GUO; Hong Tian LI; Yi Rui MA; Ying MENG; Yu Bo ZHOU; Jian Meng LIU

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Homocysteine Levels and Determinants among Chinese Women at Mid-pregnancy, Late Pregnancy, and Postpartum.

Author: Zhen Yu GUO ¹ ; Hong Tian LI ² ; Yi Rui MA ¹ ; Ying MENG ¹ ; Yu Bo ZHOU ¹ ; Jian Meng LIU ²
Author Information

1. Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China;Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
2. Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China;Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China;Center for Intelligent Public Health, Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Determinants; Homocysteine; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Pregnancy and postpartum
MeSH: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Homocysteine/blood*; China/epidemiology*; Adult; Postpartum Period/blood*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hyperhomocysteinemia/blood*; Young Adult; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/blood*; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; East Asian People
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(4):459-468
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Data on homocysteine (Hcy) status and its determinants are limited among women during pregnancy and postpartum. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate Hcy levels during pregnancy and postpartum, and to explore the determinants like geographic factor.
METHODS:This study was conducted in women at mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum from southern, central and northern China. Approximately 132 women were included in each stratum by the three phases and regions. Plasma Hcy concentrations were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with hyperhomocysteinemia defined as > 10.0 µmol/L. Quantile regression was to estimate medians and interquartile ranges ( IQRs), and logistic regression to examine the determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia.
RESULTS:For 1,190 women included, the median (IQR) Hcy concentration was 5.66 (4.62, 7.37) μmol/L. The adjusted median in mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum women was 4.75 (4.13, 5.54), 5.72 (4.81, 6.85) and 7.09 (5.65, 8.75) μmol/L, respectively, showing an increasing trend ( P < 0.001). This increasing trend persisted across the three regions. Higher Hcy concentrations were observed in women residing in northern region and those with younger age or lower economic status. A total of 106 (8.9%) women had hyperhomocysteinemia, with a higher prevalence in those residing in northern region (16.0%), or in postpartum women (16.5%).
CONCLUSION:Hcy levels, varying with geographic region, maternal age and economic status, are increased from mid-pregnancy to late-pregnancy and postpartum, indicating a need to monitor Hcy levels in pregnant and postpartum women to control potential risks related to elevated Hcy levels.