Recurrence of placental dysfunction disorders across generations

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Genetics and Epigenetics

Background:

• Placental dysfunction disorders contribute significantly to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
• Limited knowledge exists regarding the intergenerational transmission of risks for these disorders.
• Small for gestational age (SGA) birth is a potential risk factor with unknown long-term consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between parental history of being born small for gestational age (SGA) and the risk of placental dysfunction disorders in offspring.
• To examine the intergenerational recurrence of placental dysfunction disorders from both maternal and paternal lines.

Main Methods:

• Utilized linked generational data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register (1973-2006).
• Included 321,383 mother-offspring units and 135,637 mother-father-offspring units.
• Employed adjusted odds ratios to assess risks associated with parental SGA history.

Main Results:

• Mothers born SGA had increased odds of late preeclampsia (1.41), early preeclampsia (1.87), placental abruption (1.60), and spontaneous preterm birth (1.11).
• The risk of preeclampsia was more than 3-fold higher if both parents were born SGA compared to neither.
• A 50% increased risk of preeclampsia was observed if only the mother was born SGA.

Conclusions:

• Placental dysfunction disorders demonstrate intergenerational recurrence, particularly on the maternal side.
• Evidence suggests a likely paternal contribution to the intergenerational risk of placental dysfunction.
• Parental history of small for gestational age birth is a significant risk factor for offspring placental dysfunction.