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Association between selected folate pathway polymorphisms and nonsyndromic limb reduction defects: a case-parental
Mario A Cleves1, Charlotte A Hobbs, Weizhi Zhao
1Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. clevesmarioa@uams.edu
Maternal multivitamin use, particularly folic acid, may reduce the risk of limb reduction defects (LRDs). Offspring inheriting MTHFR 677T variants face higher LRD risk without maternal supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Epigenetics
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Inadequate folate status is linked to congenital malformations, including limb reduction defects (LRDs).
- Limited research explores associations between LRDs and folate pathway genetic polymorphisms beyond MTHFR 677C→T.
- Genetic variations and nutritional deficiencies can impair folate metabolism, impacting fetal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between nonsyndromic transverse and longitudinal limb reduction defects (LRDs) and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in folate and methionine pathway genes.
- To examine the influence of maternal multivitamin supplementation on the relationship between fetal genetic variants and LRD risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-parental analysis was conducted using data from 148 families in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.
- Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes within the folate and methionine pathways were analyzed.
- Log-linear Poisson regression, adapted for case-parental data with an additive genetic model, was employed to estimate genetic relative risks.
Main Results:
- The MTHFR 677T variant was associated with an increased risk of LRDs in offspring whose mothers did not use multivitamin supplements.
- No significant association between LRDs and any fetal SNP was observed among women who reported using multivitamin supplements.
- The risk modification appeared to be mediated through the offspring's genome when maternal supplementation was absent.
Conclusions:
- Pre-conception folic acid supplementation may mitigate the risk of limb reduction defects (LRDs).
- This protective effect is particularly relevant for pregnancies where offspring carry one or two copies of the MTHFR 677T variant.
- Maternal nutritional status, specifically folate intake, plays a crucial role in preventing certain congenital anomalies.
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