Relationship between serum levels of folic acid and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD-1) with the results of first trimester Down syndrome screening methods and fetal karyotype in high risk pregnant women referring to the Alzahra educational hospital of Tabriz

Abstract

abstract: purpose: To investigate associations between serum levels of folic acid and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD-1) with the results of the first trimester Down syndrome screening methods and fetal karyotype in high-risk pregnant women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, The research population was pregnant women at the gestational age of 14-20 weeks whose first trimester screening (NT ultrasound and double marker test) results indicated they were at high risk for having fetus with Down syndrome. Informed written consent was obtained from all the participants. Personal information, midwifery history, and the Down syndrome related risk factors questionnaire were filled out in face-to-face interviews. The information of NT ultrasound and biochemical screening tests was extracted from the patients’ files and recorded in the relevant questionnaires. Then we measured serum levels of folic acid and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD-1) in 232 high risk pregnant women using the ELISA method. Statistical analysis was done applying multivariate logistic regression by backward strategy tests. Results: In our study, 219 (94.4 %) of mothers with normal fetal karyotype and 13 (5.6%) patients with karyotype fetuses had Down syndrome.Based on the results of multivariate logistic regression test, NT (Nuchal Translucency) (OR: 4.72, [4.01-11.07]) and husband age (OR: 1.23, [1.05-1.43]) were the predictors of fetal Down syndrome karyotype in high-risk pregnant women. The chance of development of Down syndrome in fetuses belonging to pregnant women with increased NT thickness was 4.7 times higher than those with normal NT thickness. In addition, the chance of prenatal development Down syndrome increased by 23% with every one-year increase in husbands’ age. There were no significant relationships between serum folic acid and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD-1) levels and any of the Down syndrome karyotype results (p>0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that serum folic acid and superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD-1) concentration is not the predictive marker of Down syndrome karyotype in high risk pregnant women who have positive Down syndrome screening through double marker test.