Publication:

Association of antithrombin (antithrombin III) gene mutation with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss

Background Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is an emotionally painful occurrence for couples and presents Obstetricians with a difficult clinical problem. Because a primary etiology cannot be determined in roughly half of the instances, it is irritating for both patients and obstetricians. The present study aimed to determine the association of the antithrombin III gene (SERPINC1) mutation with unexplained RPL.

Methods This case-control observational study was conducted at the out-patient department of feto-maternal medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a total sample size of was 68, with 34 in the control group and 34 in the case/RPL group.

Results The mean±standard deviation (SD) age of the RPL group was 28.44±5.25, and in the control group it was 29.15±4.72. The mean±SD body mass index (BMI) was 24.95±3.48 and 23.69±4.07 in RPL and control groups respectively. Among the RPL group patients, 68% (23) had the primary RPL, and 32% (11) had a second pregnancy loss.

Conclusions 5.88% of the cases have a heterozygous mutation which might be the cause of their RPL. There was no homozygous mutation was found for G878A in the case group. The allele for G878A was also higher in the case group. But these differences were statistically non-significant. So, to clarify this association with unexplained RPL, further research is necessary including multi-centre and large sample sizes.