Background & Aims: Preeclampsia is one of the main causes of maternal and fetal mortality. Despite many studies, its etiology is still unknown. Many etiologies as nutritional factors have been presented in causing of preeclampsia. Recently there has been attention towards the role of folic acid. This study was performed to examine the association of serum levels of folic acid with preeclampsia in pregnant women.

Materials & Methods: This was an analytic observational case-control study which was conducted in Tabriz- Alzahra educational hospital at 2009.  52 preeclamptic women (aged 18-35 in 34-42 weeks and 52 normotensive pregnant women were selected according to age, pregnancy number, and gestational age. Data were gathered through interviews and reviewing their medical records. Folic acid serum levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence method on Elecsys-2010 system using the Roche brand kit. The data were analyzed by SPSS.

Results: The mean folic acid serum levels in preeclamptic group was significantly lower than non- preeclamptic group (p=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant decrease in the frequency of preeclampsia with increasing the serum levels of folic acid (OR=0.88, CI95%:0.77-0.99). Findings about the frequency of main food groups’ consumption containing folic acid indicated that the only mean difference between two groups was in relation to fruits. The mean of fruit group consumption per week in preeclamptic women was lower than non- preeclamptic women (p=0.002).

Conclusion: It is recommended that all health care providers educate clients during counseling about  the importance of  folic acid, regular and  timely consumption of  supplements as well as food groups containing folic acid specially fruits and its possible role in  prevention of preeclampsia.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2012: 23(3): 343 ISSN: 1027-3727