Abstract:

Homocysteine (HCY) is an intermediate product of methionine metabolism. The elevated HCY level is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Adverse pregnancy is a type of clinical pregnancy diseases. With the change of living environment, the incidence increases year by year. However, the relevant pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy is not clear. In recent years, studies have found that the level of HCY is closely related to the occurrence of a series of adverse pregnancies. The level of HCY in pregnant women is significantly lower than that before pregnancy, and the sensitivity to HCY injury is also enhanced in pregnant women. A slight increase in the level of HCY may lead to a series of vascular damage, and then lead to the occurrence of a series of adverse pregnancies. The major causes of HCY increase are the abnormal levels of enzymes related to HCY production, lack of cofactors, excessive intake of methionine, some diseases and some drugs. The decrease in the HCY level can effectively improve adverse pregnancy, by the reasonable supplement of folic acid and B vitamins and the lifestyle intervention. In this paper, the relationship between HCY and adverse pregnancy outcomes is reviewed in order to provide useful reference for the prevention and treatment of adverse pregnancy.

Key words: Homocysteine, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Pregnancy outcomes, Abortion, spontaneous, Hypertension, pregnancy-induced, Diabetes, gestational, Abruptio placentae, Therapy