All patients in the case-control study had at least one prior spontaneous preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of gestation). The study extracted DNA from the cord blood and maternal blood of more than 800 pregnant Hispanic women and their fetuses, and then genotyped more than 700 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 190 candidate genes that may predispose to preterm birth.

Fetuses that carried a SNP gene variation in IL6R, which influences inflammation, had twice the risk of preterm birth. DNA variants in maternal genes also increased the risk of preterm birth. Together these factors provide new evidence that genetic predisposition to preterm birth can depend on the DNA of both mother and fetus and how the two interact.

Today's award-winning study, "Identification of Fetal and Maternal Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Candidate Genes that Predispose to Spontaneous Preterm Labor with Intact Membranes," is the seventh study by SMFM members to be honored by the March of Dimes for innovative research focused on preventing premature birth. The March of Dimes is conducting a national Prematurity Campaign aimed at using research and awareness to reduce the increasing rate of premature birth.

Source: March of Dimes Foundation