Prothrombin G20210A mutation: Is it associated with pre-eclampsia?

Objective: A strong independent association between the prothrombin G20210A gene mutation and pre-eclampsia has been reported in an Italian population . This result was not confirmed in a subsequent study in a Dutch population . The objective of this study was to further test the hypothesis that the p rothrombin G20210A mutation is associated with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Met hods: Seventeen eclamptics and 67 pre-eclamptics were recruited from 34 mul ticase Australian/New Zealand families. An additional 105 unrelated pre-ecl amptic/ eclamptic women and 119 parous women were recruited as controls. Re sults: The overall incidence for the prothrombin G20210A gene mutation in t he pre-eclamptic group was 3.6% (95% Cl 1.2-8.2%) which was not significant ly different from the control group 2.5% (95% Cl 0.57.2%) (p = 0.73, OR 1.4 4, 95% Cl 0.34-6.17). Conclusion: This study provides little evidence of a significant relationship between the prothrombin G20210A gene mutation and pre-eclampsia. Based on our results, we do not recommend testing for the pr othrombin G20210A mutation in the routine investigation of women with pre-e clampsia. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.