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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

FISH for Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
Published on: February 23, 2011
Genetic Polymorphisms Implicated in Major Pregnancy Complications: a Review
Georgios Dryllis1, Panagiota Liakou1, Marianna Politou1
1Hematology Laboratory-Blood Bank, Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11528, Greece, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Genetic factors influencing pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes show conflicting results. Further research is needed to identify genetic markers for early detection and treatment of high-risk pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Obstetrics
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Pregnancy complications pose risks to maternal and fetal health.
- Identifying underlying causes is crucial for effective management.
- Genetic factors are increasingly recognized as potential contributors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the genetic background of various pregnancy complications.
- To synthesize current evidence on the role of genetic polymorphisms in high-risk pregnancies.
- To assess the potential for genetic markers in early diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published up to October 2018.
- Inclusion of studies on genetic factors in high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pregnancy loss, placental abruption, premature labor, and intrauterine growth retardation.
- Analysis of 164 identified articles meeting inclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- Current research on genetic polymorphisms in pregnancy complications yields contradictory findings.
- The pathogenicity of many studied genetic variations remains unclear.
- Most studies involve small sample sizes, limiting definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- The genetic basis of pregnancy complications requires further investigation.
- Ongoing research aims to clarify the role of genetic polymorphisms.
- Identifying reliable genetic markers could enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for high-risk pregnancies.
Abstract:
Pregnancy short- or long-term complications may involve the mother's health, the fetus's health, or both. A systematic literature review was performed, including studies up to October 2018 from Medline (PubMed), Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The following inclusion criteria were applied: studies published until 2018 concerning the genetic background of pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pregnancy loss, endometrial death, placental abruption, premature labor, and intrauterine growth retardation which may render pregnancy a high risk condition.We identified 164 articles that met the inclusion criteria and reviewed and analyzed them. The results so far are contradictory and the pathogenicity of these pregnancy complications remains unclear. For most of the polymorphisms studied so far, data refer to small studies size but research is on-going.The identification of genetic polymorphisms with strong correlations with certain pregnancy complications could provide us with useful tools which could be incorporated in diagnostic algorithms that could facilitate early detection and treatment of major pregnancy complications.
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