Homosistein, Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Levels in Patients with Pediatric Celiac Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Our aim in this study was to investigate effects of vitamin B12 and folic acid malabsorption to homocysteine levels in celiac patients. Materials and Methods: Between 2-17 years of ages 32 celiac patients before treatment, 14 celiac patient in remission and 30 healthy controls involved in this study. Homocystein levels were evaluated in all groups. In addition plasma levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid determined in celiac and remission groups. Results: Homocysteine levels as arithmetic mean +/- SD found 22.8 +/- 1.69 mu mol/L in celiac group, 17.31 +/- 1.94 mu mol/L in remission group and 15.21 +/- 1.69 mu mol/L in control group. Folic acid levels as arithmetic mean +/- SD found 7.04 +/- 0.74 ng/ml in celiac patients and 12.95 +/- 1.9 ng/ml in remission group. There is statistically significant difference between folic acid and homocysteine levels of two groups (p<0.05). Vitamin B12 levels as arithmetic mean +/- SD found 433.31 +/- 70.91 pg/ml in celiac patients and 400.33 +/- 78.36 pg/ml in remission group. Difference between two groups is not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: In our study homocysteine levels were found to be higher in celiac group than remission group. In this study, difference in folic acid levels between two groups may show that changes in folic acid levels related to changes in homocysteine levels.