Premature birth

Spontaneous premature birth (<37 weeks gestation; also known as preterm birth or PTB) occurs in approximately 12% of pregnancies in the United States, and is the largest contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Wikipedia

Evidence is increasing for a role of SNPs in either maternal or fetal DNA in increasing risk for preterm birth. SNPs potentially involved include:

• In maternal DNA:
  • rs879293, a SNP in the tissue plasminogen activator gene
  • Rs4986791, Individuals with the risk alleles for both SNPs are at higher risk for having their pregnancies associated with premature birth.

• In fetal DNA:
  • rs17121510, in the interleukin-10 receptor antagonist (IL-10RA) gene
  • rs4696480 (T-16934A and Arg753Gln) and rs5743708) (Thr399Ile) earlier birth for infants carrying two (-16934TA/AA and 753ArgGln/GlnGln) [PMID 17667860]
  • [PMID 16938879] A snp in the promoter of the SERPINH1 gene increases risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes in African Americans.

rs2298668 in PRCP has been shown to increase the risk of premature birth.