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Maternal-fetal histocompatibility in intrauterine growth retarded and normal weight babies
M S Verp1, M Sibul, C Billstrand
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637.
Problem:
To determine whether risk for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is increased in HLA-DQA1 compatible pregnancies.
Method:
Paired maternal and cord blood samples were obtained from 30 IUGR and 31 non-IUGR pregnancies delivered at a university hospital. Samples were typed for eight HLA-DQA1 alleles using 10 sequence-specific oligonucleotides probes. Associations between IUGR and HLA-DQ compatibility status, and other risk factors were examined using logistic regression analysis.
Results:
HLA-DQ compatibility and history of spontaneous abortion were not individually significant risk factors for IUGR; however, there was an interactive effect between these two factors and IUGR (P = 0.085) that improved the overall fit of the logistic model (P < 0.001). No individual allele was more common in IUGR pregnancies.
Conclusions:
HLA compatibility per se is not associated with sufficient inhibition of fetal growth to result in IUGR as defined. However, in women with a history of spontaneous abortion, HLA compatibility may have an effect.