Analyzes of three common thrombophilic gene mutations in German women with recurrent abortions

Background. Several etiological factors have been proposed as a cause for recurrent fetal abortions. Changes in blood coagulation during pregnancy may play an important role in the occurrence of recurrent abortions (RA). Methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of factor V Leiden, factor II prothrombin, and methylenetetrahydrofolatreductase (MTHFR) mutations in women with recurrent abortions (greater than or equal to2 abortions) in the German population. The mean number of abortions was 3 (range 2-8). Results. Frequencies of the factor V Leiden mutation and the prothrombin G20210A mutation were equally high in the patient group compared with our control group (for factor V Leiden: 11/101 vs. 9/122; p-value: 0.348; for prothrombin G20210A: 2/101 vs. 3/122; p-value: 0.81). Moreover, in both the patient and control groups, 15 of the women were homozygous for the MTHFR C677T allele (15/101 vs. 15/122; p-value: 0.635). The occurrence of FV Leiden, FII and MTHFR mutations was not significantly increased in the patient group compared with our control group. Conclusion. The results of the present study reveal no relationship between these common three thrombophilic mutations and recurrent abortions for the German population, and further studies are essentially recommended on whether a thrombophilia evaluation should be performed in patients with recurrent abortions.