The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74029

Charlotte Hobbs, MD, MPH¹, Bridget Mosley, MPH¹, and Sadia Ghaffar, MD². (1) Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, 11219 Financial Centre Parkway, Suite 250, Little Rock, AR 72211, (2) Pediatric Cardiology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, MS 512-3, 800 Marshall St., Little Rock, AR 72202, 501-364-1479, jpearson@slhi.org

Epidemiologic evidence exists suggesting that folic acid- containing multivitamins reduce the risk of pregnancies affected by heart defects. The metabolic and molecular basis for this protective effect is unknown. Using the Arkansas NBDPS participants, we are conducting a local study to better understand alterations in folic acid metabolism and genetic susceptibilities for abnormal folate metabolism among women with pregnancies affected by congenital heart defects. One hundred and twenty women who had a pregnancy affected by a congenital heart defect and forty-four control women who had previously been enrolled in the NBDPS were recruited for this local study. They were visited in their homes where they completed a Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and provided a sample of blood for genetic and metabolic analyzes. The blood was analyzed for polymorphisms in genes encoding for critical enzymes in the folate pathway and multiple folate-related biomarkers. Preliminary analyses of these data indicate that women with pregnancies affected by congenital heart defects have significantly lower serum levels of folate and B12, and higher serum levels of homocysteine, and adenosine. Further analyzes will determine if the alterations in folate metabolism among women with congenital heart defects are associated with genetic polymorphism.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the association between variations in biomarkers of the folate metabolic pathway among women with pregnancies affected by congenital heart defects compared to control women.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.