PURPOSE:
To investigate the association between genetic, behavioral, biological and medical risk factors and the occurrence of preterm birth.
METHODS:
A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the influence of the rs12473815 polymorphism of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor gene (FSHR) and the rs1942836 polymorphism of the progesterone receptor gene (PGR). Other proposed risk factors were assessed using validated or specifically developed questionnaires and analysis of electronically recorded medical data. A total of 157 patients were included (45 cases who went into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy and 112 controls who went into labor after 37 and before 42 weeks of pregnancy).
RESULTS:
The genotypes CT of rs12473815 and CT and CC of rs1942836 were associated with a higher chance of premature delivery. There was an association between preterm birth and alcohol intake when consumption occurred 2 or more times per month. Low pre-pregnancy body mass index was a predictor of spontaneous preterm birth, while high body mass index reduced this likelihood.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that excessive alcohol intake, a low level of pre-pregnancy body mass and the risk alleles of rs12473815 and rs1942836 polymorphisms of the FSHR and PGR genes, respectively, influence the occurrence of preterm birth.
Infant, premature; Risk factors; Polymorfism, single nucleotide; Receptors, progesterone; Receptor, FSH