We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of demographics, the diet, tHcy level, presence of the C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (a common genetic cause of elevated tHcy) in children, and the prevalence of parental CVD. tHcy increased after puberty and was inversely related to parental educational level.
A point mutation (C677T) in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme involved in homocysteine remethylation, has been reported to render the enzyme thermolabile and less active and has been associated with elevated tHcy in homozygous carriers (+/+ genotype) as well as with increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease.