Impact of Folate Metabolism Gene Polymorphisms on Pregnancy Course and Neonatal Health in Women with Bronchial Asthma

Objective: To investigate the influence of polymorphic variants in folate metabolism–related genes on the risk of pregnancy complications in women with bronchial asthma (BA).
Materials and methods: A molecular genetic study was conducted in 52 pregnant women with BA, followed from initial prenatal registration through delivery. DNA samples were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify polymorphisms in the following genes: MTHFR (677C>T, 1298A>C), MTR (2756A>G), and MTRR (66A>G). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 12.0 and Microsoft Excel.
Results: The presence of homozygous and heterozygous variants of these polymorphisms was associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, threatened miscarriage, preterm delivery, intrauterine hypoxia, and chronic placental insufficiency. The MTHFR 677TT and 677CT genotypes, along with the MTRR 66G allele, showed the strongest association with endothelial dysfunction and related obstetric complications. In women with BA and these risk genotypes, the likelihood of complications was 1.66–1.75 times higher than in those without such genotypes (p<0.05). Mutant alleles were also linked to adverse perinatal outcomes: reduced birth weight and length, and an elevated risk of central nervous system injury in newborns. The impact of polymorphisms varied by asthma severity: in mild BA, risks of hypoxia and preeclampsia were elevated; in moderate BA, risks of anemia and intrauterine hypoxia predominated.
Conclusion: Early identification of genetic risk factors during pregnancy enables accurate prediction of disease trajectory, timely implementation of preventive strategies, and improved perinatal outcomes in women with bronchial asthma.

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