title: Frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in Yemeni children with sickle cell disease.
abstract: The frequency of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) C677T mutation was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and with measurement of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, vitamins B6, B12 and disease severity in 102 SS children from Yemen. The homozygous TT genotype for MTHFR C677T was present in 2% (2/102), and heterozygous CT in 10.8% (11/102), giving an allele frequency of 7.35%. The T allele was not associated with raised plasma tHcy or increased disease severity. The mean [+/-SD (standard deviation)] tHcy was 2.8 +/- 1.7 micromol/L, increased with age and was highest in children >10 years (3.6 +/- 2.5 vs. 2.5 +/- 1.2 micromol/L, p <0.05). Whole blood folate and plasma vitamin B12 levels were normal or elevated, and 4% had vitamin B6 deficiency. In Yemeni children with sickle cell disease the frequency of the MTHFR C677T mutation was not higher than expected in the general population and was not associated with disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Aden University, Aden, Yemen.
authors.forename: Abdul-Wahab M
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Al-Saqladi
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delpisheh
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fijnvandraat
authors.forename: Hassan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bin-Gadeem
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Brabin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D015006:Yemen
chemical_list: D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)