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C677T mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and neural tube defects: Should J apanese women undergo gene screening before pregnancy?
Author(s) -
Kondo Atsuo,
Fukuda Hiromi,
Matsuo Takuya,
Shinozaki Keiko,
Okai Ikuyo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
congenital anomalies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-4520
pISSN - 0914-3505
DOI - 10.1111/cga.12026
Subject(s) - methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase , spina bifida , genotype , odds ratio , pregnancy , medicine , neural tube , obstetrics , allele , pediatrics , genetics , gynecology , biology , gene , embryo
We analyzed the role of maternal C677T mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene on spina bifida development in newborns. A total of 115 mothers who had given birth to a spina bifida child ( SB mothers) gave 10 mL of blood together with written informed consent. The genotype distribution of C677T mutation was assessed and compared with that of the 4517 control individuals. The prevalence of the homozygous genotype ( TT ) among SB mothers was not significantly different from that among the controls (odds ratio [ OR ] = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [ CI ] = 0.31–1.25; P = 0.182), suggesting that MTHFR 677TT genotype in J apan is not associated with spina bifida development in newborns. The T allele frequency was not increased in SB mothers (34.8%) as compared to that of the control individuals (38.2%). Further, the internationally reported association between the two groups was found to be similar in all 15 countries studied except the N etherlands, where the TT genotype was found to be a genetic risk factor for spina bifida. For the prevention of affected pregnancy every woman planning to conceive has to take folic acid supplements 400 μg a day and the government is asked to take action in implementing food fortification with folic acid in the near future. In conclusion, it is not necessary for J apanese women to undergo genetic screening C677T mutation of the MTHFR gene as a predictive marker for spina bifida prior to pregnancy, because the TT genotype is not a risk factor for having an affected infant.