Folate metabolism gene polymorphisms MTHFR C677T and A1298C and risk for preeclampsia: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: MTHFR C677T and A1298C have been associated with the risk of preeclampsia (PE), but with conflicting results. We performed this meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimation of the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and PE. Study design: An electronic search of PubMed and Chinese Biomedicine database was conducted to select studies for meta-analysis. 54 case controlled studies containing MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms were chosen, and odds ratio (OR) with confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of this association. Result: These studies evaluated 7398 cases and 11230 controls for MTHFR C677T. The overall results suggested that MTHFR C677T was associated with the risk of PE. (T vs. C: OR = 1.157, 95 % CI: 1.057-1.266, p=0.002; TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.165, 95 % CI : 1.049-1.293, P = 0.004; TT vs. CT + CC: OR = 1.371, 95 % CI: 1.153-1.63, p < 0.001). We also evaluated 1103 cases and 988 controls for MTHFR A1298C but could not demonstrate an increased risk of PE for this polymorphism ( p=0.667). A symmetric funnel plot, the Egger's test ( p = 0.819) suggested a lack of publication bias. Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the idea that MTHFR C677T genotype is associated with increased risk for PE, especially in the case of Asians and Caucasians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]