Folate status, serum C‐reactive protein level and gestational age: Mothers and Children′s Environmental Health (MOCEH)

Abstract

Folate deficiency and elevated serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels in pregnant women are independently known to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, however, limited studies have been reported. This study was to investigate the relation between folate nutrition and elevated CRP level during pregnancy and their associations with birth outcome in 883 pregnant women of 12–28 weeks of gestation. Serum folate and CRP levels were analyzed by the radioimmunoassay and latex agglutination test, respectively. Maternal serum folate levels at mid‐pregnancy were positively correlated with dietary folate intake at mid‐pregnancy (p<0.05). Maternal serum CRP levels at mid‐ (p<0.05) and late‐pregnancy (p<0.01) were negatively correlated with serum folate levels at each time of pregnancy, respectively. Multiple regression analysis with covariates revealed that the maternal CRP levels at mid‐ and late‐pregnancy were negatively associated with the gestational age. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying the associations between folate nutrition and CRP levels during pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy outcome.Supported by the Ministry of Environment and the 2nd stage of Brain Korea 21 project in 2009.