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Genetic variants of the vitamin K dependent coagulation system and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants

Christine Schreiner, Sévérine Suter, Matthias Watzka

  • 1School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Southmead Road, Bristol BS10 NB5, UK. Axel.Heep@bristol.ac.uk.

BMC Pediatrics
|September 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variants in vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1) influence intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) risk in preterm infants. VKORC1-wildtype infants showed higher IVH risk compared to those with the -1639A allele.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Medical Genetics
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature infants has complex causes.
  • The role of genetic variations in the vitamin K-dependent coagulation system in IVH development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of specific genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin K-dependent coagulation system on IVH risk and coagulation profiles in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 90 preterm infants (<32 weeks gestational age).
  • Analysis of polymorphisms in vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1 -1639G>A) and coagulation factor 7 (F7 -323Ins10).
  • Assessment of coagulation profiles and IVH risk in relation to these genetic variants.

Main Results:

  • The F7-323Ins10 polymorphism was linked to reduced factor VII levels but not directly to IVH risk.
  • Infants with VKORC1-wildtype genotype exhibited a significantly higher risk of IVH compared to carriers of the -1639A allele.
  • No significant differences in vitamin K-dependent coagulation parameters were observed within the first hour of life between VKORC1-wildtype infants and -1639A allele carriers.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variations within the vitamin K-dependent coagulation system appear to influence coagulation status and IVH risk in preterm neonates.
  • Further research is needed to explore short-term changes in vitamin K metabolism and coagulation dynamics in the initial days of life to elucidate the connection with IVH development.
Abstract

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