Which thrombophilic gene mutations are risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss?
PROBLEM: Thrombophilia has been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes. To determine the association of specific inherited thrombophilias and recurrent pregnancy loss, 10 thrombophilic genes were investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: A total of 550 women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss had buccal swabs taken for DNA analyses of the following gene mutations: factor V G1691A, factor V H1299R (R2), factor V Y1702C, factor II prothrombin G20210A, factor XIII V34L, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, PAI-1 4G/5G, HPA1 a/b(L33P), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, MTHFR A1298C. The frequencies of these mutations were compared with controls published in the literature. RESULTS: When examined individually, PAI-1 4G/5G (P = 0.009), factor XIII V34L (P < 0.0001), and homozygous MTHFR C667T (P < 0.0001) correlated significantly with recurrent pregnancy loss compared with controls. The frequency of the factor V Y1702C mutation was extremely low in patients and controls; thus, this gene