Thrombophilic polymorphisms – factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutations – and preterm birth

Summary

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the influence of three common thrombophilic polymorphisms, factor V Leiden (FV), prothrombin G20210A (PT), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations, on preterm birth of unknown cause. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-centre case-control study of women with preterm infants of ≤35 weeks of gestation, in whom obvious maternal, uterine, and fetal causes responsible for preterm birth were excluded (n = 35). The controls were 54 women with term infants hospitalised in the same ward. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups of mothers in history of fetal loss, venous or familial thrombosis, or previous preterm birth. FV was found in 8.6% of the cases, PT in 5.7%, and MTHFR mutation (homozygous) in 4.8% compared with 5.4% (p = 0.292; OR, 1.594; CI 95%, 0.303–8.384), 7.4% (p = 0.379; OR, 0.758; CI 95%, 0.131–4.374), and 4.5% (p = 0.485; OR, 1.050; CI 95%, 0.090–12.276), respectively, in the controls. Differences in the three thrombophilic polymorphisms in the two groups of infants were also not significant. CONCLUSION: We could not demonstrate a distinct association between these thrombophilic polymorphisms and preterm birth.