title: Fetal MBL2 haplotypes combined with viral exposure are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the roles of inherited polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene and exposure to viral infection in the development of a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including birthweight  < 10th percentile (small-for-gestational age, SGA), antepartum hemorrhage (APH), pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders (PIHD), and preterm birth (PTB).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case-control study using DNA from newborn screening cards of 717 cases (babies with at least one of the adverse pregnancy outcomes listed above) and 609 controls, to screen for six polymorphisms within the MBL2 gene. These combine to create haplotypes with high (HYPA), intermediate (LYQA, LYPA), low (LXPA), and defective (HYPD, LYQC, LYPB) circulating MBL2 levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant associations were found between variant MBL2 haplotypes and SGA (LYPA  < 32 weeks OR 5.37, 95% CI 1.50-17.27), antepartum hemorrhage (LYPA  < 37 weeks OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.25-4.18), and PIHD (LYQC < 32 weeks (OR 17.89, 95% CI 2.20-139.57). Evidence of exposure to infection increased the effect of these associations, (SGA OR 17.00, 95% CI 1.03-252.48; APH OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.73-18.84; PIHD OR 23.80, 95% CI 1.08-1414.76), while no evidence of exposure to infection demonstrated no associations. PTB was significantly associated with the defective HYPD haplotype with evidence of exposure to infection (OR 6.14, 95% CI 1.21-29.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that the combination of fetal MBL2 haplotypes and exposure to in utero viral infection increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PTB, antepartum hemorrhage, small-for-gestational age and PIHD.
authors.affiliation: The University of Adelaide, Women’sand Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia. catherine.s.gibson@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Catherine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Alastair H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Maclennan
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Haan
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Priest
authors.forename: Gustaaf A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dekker
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C445619:MBL2 protein, human; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin