Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphisms and Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

Introduction Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms on pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods A total of 617 pregnancies of women who were investigated for MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms prior to pregnancy were included in the study. Cases were classified into homozygous polymorphisms (Group I), heterozygous polymorphisms (Group II), and patients without polymorphisms who functioned as controls (Group III). Patients with polymorphisms were assigned to a specific protocol at least 3 months before becoming pregnant. Administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was started very early during pregnancy. The Beksac Obstetrics Index (BOI) was used to estimate the obstetric risk levels for the different groups. Results We found that the early pregnancy loss (EPL) rate increased as MTHFR polymorphism complexity increased and that the early EPL rate was significantly higher in patients with MTHFR C677T polymorphism compared to patients with MTHFR A1298C polymorphism (p = 0.039). There were significant differences between the previous pregnancies of the patients in the 3 study groups in terms of perinatal complications and EPLs (p = 0.003 and p = 0.019). The BOI decreased as the severity of polymorphisms increased. An association between MTHFR polymorphisms and congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities was observed. We could not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between study groups when the 3 groups were compared with regard to the pregnancy outcomes under specific management protocols. Conclusion MTHFR polymorphisms are potential risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.