Is there an increased maternal-infant prevalence of Factor V Leiden in association with severe pre-eclampsia?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in children and maternal-infant pairs in pregnancies affected by severe pre-eclampsia with unmatched normal controls.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Department of Women's and Children's Health, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT, Australia.


METHODS
Forty-eight maternal-infant pairs where the index pregnancy was affected by severe pre-eclampsia; 46 unmatched maternal-infant pairs where the index pregnancy was defined as normal.


METHODS
DNA analysis of cheek swab samples obtained from maternal-infant pairs for the Factor V Leiden mutation.


METHODS
The prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in mothers, infants and maternal-infant pairs in association with severe pre-eclampsia compared with unmatched controls.


RESULTS
No difference was detected in the prevalence of Factor V Leiden mutation between the women and children of both groups, nor the maternal-infant pairs from each group.


CONCLUSIONS
No evidence was found of an increased prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in either the mothers or children in association with severe pre-eclampsia. This result argues against a Factor V Leiden fetal or maternal contribution to the development of severe pre-eclampsia.
Currie
Lea
L
Department of Women's and Children's Health, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT, Australia.
Peek
Michael
M
McNiven
Michelle
M
Prosser
Ian
I
Mansour
Julia
J
Ridgway
Jennifer
J
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
C095381:factor V Leiden; D005165:Factor V