# Vitamin B12 and Homocysteine in Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Association With Obesity

## TL;DR

This study compares vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes, finding lower vitamin B12 in both groups but higher in those with diabetes.

## Contribution

The study reveals a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and higher BMI in pregnant women, with higher vitamin B12 levels in gestational diabetes cases due to better socioeconomic status.

## Key findings

- Vitamin B12 levels were low in both GDM and non-GDM groups, but higher in GDM women.
- Women with GDM had higher BMI, TAG, LDL, and VLDL levels compared to non-GDM women.
- No significant difference in homocysteine levels was found between the two groups.

## Abstract

Background: The role of vitamin B12 in maternal obesity, insulin resistance, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is debatable. This study was undertaken to determine and compare the levels of serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine (Hcy) in pregnant women with and without GDM and to correlate them with maternal obesity.

Methods: A total of 45 pregnant women with GDM and 45 pregnant women without GDM between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Vitamin B12, Hcy, lipid profile, and blood glucose levels were measured.

Results: Serum vitamin B12 levels were low in both GDM and non-GDM groups. Only four women from the non-GDM group had normal vitamin B12 levels. Women with GDM had a significantly better socioeconomic status, probably accounting for relatively higher vitamin B12 levels, i.e., 146.2 pg/ml compared to 112 pg/ml in the non-GDM women. Women with GDM had significantly higher BMI (p = 0.001), higher triacylglycerol (TAG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as compared to non-GDM women. No significant statistical difference in Hcy was found between the two groups.

Conclusion: Vitamin B12 levels were low in both groups of women, but were higher in the GDM group, probably because the higher socioeconomic status among women with GDM played a role. Vitamin B12 deficiency was linked with higher BMI, and women with GDM had higher levels of TAG, VLDL, and blood pressure, highlighting a state of insulin resistance.