Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism and Preeclampsia among Pregnant Women Receiving Maternity Care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that accounts for 14% of maternal mortality worldwide. A mutation in methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) leads to different cardiovascular complications. Despite this, there is limited data regarding the MTHFR (C677T) mutation status of the Ethiopian pregnant women in the study area. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism (C677T) with preeclampsia among women receiving maternity care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, 2022. Methods: Using a systematic random sampling technique, a total of 110 participants with a 1:1 proportion of cases and controls were included in a hospital-based case-control study. Baseline and biochemical data were collected by questionnaire, while the MTHFR mutation status was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism using the HinfI enzyme and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Data were entered into Epi Data 7.2, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 26 software. Genomic analysis was conducted by Snapstat online software. Descriptive data were summarized as mean± SD, frequency, and percentage. The association between outcome and independent variables was determined by multivariate logistic regression. Variables with a p-value <0.05 at 95% CI were considered statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of the MTHFR mutation among pregnant women was 26(23.6%) [15 (13.6%) CT vs. 11(10%) TT]. The frequencies of the CT and TT genotypes were significantly higher in cases than in controls [CT: 11(20%) vs.4 (7.2%) and TT: 8(14.5%) vs. 3(5.5%)], respectively. CT genotype (AOR = 5.88, CI: 1.06–32.63), family history of PE (AOR = 10.17, CI: 2.46–42.0), and obesity (AOR = 5.82, CI: 1.74–19.51) were significantly associated with PE. However, there is no significant association between the MTHFR mutation and PE severity. Conclusion: Having a CT genotype, family history of preeclampsia and obesity were significantly associated with preeclampsia. Therefore, it will be better to conduct further multicenter studies in Ethiopians and screen for the MTHFR (C677T) mutation. Moreover, screening for a family history of preeclampsia and obesity during ante natal care follow-up may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.