Blood group AB and factor V Leiden as risk factors for pre-eclampsia: A population-based nested case-control study

• Published in: Thrombosis research 2009-06, Vol.124 (2), p.167-173
• Main Authors: Hiltunen, Leena M, Laivuori, Hannele, Rautanen, Anna, Kaaja, Risto, Kere, Juha, Krusius, Tom, Paunio, Mikko, Rasi, Vesa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABO blood group; Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Group Antigens - genetics; Cardiology. Vascular system; Case-Control Studies; Coronary heart disease; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Factor V - genetics; Factor V Leiden; Female; FII G20210A; Finland; Heart; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Odds Ratio; Population Groups - genetics; Pre-eclampsia; Pre-Eclampsia - blood; Pre-Eclampsia - etiology; Pre-Eclampsia - genetics; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Thrombophilia; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2008.11.012

Abstract Introduction Pre-eclampsia is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Its etiology is still unknown. Clinical symptoms correlate with activation of coagulation and inherited thrombophilia has been associated with pre-eclampsia. ABO blood group has been associated with thrombotic disorders and pre-eclampsia. We assessed ABO blood group, seven thrombophilia associated polymorphisms, and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies as risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Materials and methods We performed a population-based nested case-control study of 100,000 consecutive pregnancies in Finland. Cases and controls were identified by combining national registers and medical records were reviewed. We studied 248 cases fulfilling strict criteria for pre-eclampsia and 679 controls. Severe pre-eclampsia, early pre-eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) were analyzed separately. Results Blood group AB increased the risk for pre-eclampsia as a whole (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.5), and in the three subgroups (OR 2.3, 3.8, 3.4; 95% CI 1.3-3.9, 2.0-7.1, 1.6-7.1). FV Leiden increased the risk as a whole (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.8-3.9), and in the three subgroups, although not statistically significantly. Anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies were not associated with pre-eclampsia. High body mass index, diabetes, first pregnancy, and twin pregnancy increased the risk from 1.5-fold to 8.2-fold. Conclusions Our results confirm and extend the prior observation of blood group AB being a risk factor for pre-eclampsia. ABO blood group is known from all pregnant women. The value of blood group as risk factor for pre-eclampsia should be further assessed in prospective studies. In this study, FV Leiden was not statistically significant risk factor.