Links identified between a mother's preeclampsia and her baby's genetic makeup in new research study.
Fresh Article:
Let's delve into the groundbreaking genetic study that reveals a connection between a baby's DNA and the risk of preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.
Dr. Linda Morgan, an esteemed researcher from the University of Nottingham, UK, spearheads this 5-year investigation. The team analyzed DNA samples from children in Iceland, Norway, Finland, and the UK.
Preeclampsia, characterized by a sudden increase in a pregnant woman's blood pressure during the 20th week, accompanied by increased protein in her urine and swollen hands and face, can affect her brain, liver, and kidneys. It's a condition that can be fatal for both the mother and the baby and often leads to long-term health complications. Approximately 5% of pregnancies experience preeclampsia, making it a leading cause of pregnancy- and birth-related deaths.
For this new investigation, Dr. Morgan and her colleagues conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 4,380 children born to mothers who developed preeclampsia during pregnancy and 310,238 whose mothers did not have the condition.
Genetic Link to Preeclampsia
GWAS is a powerful tool that rapidly scans the genomes of large numbers of people to find genetic variations associated with specific diseases. Previous GWAS analyses of preeclampsia have been done but focused solely on the DNA of the mothers.
But now, GWAS "allows us to look for clues in the mother's, father's, and their baby's DNA," explains Dr. Morgan. For many years, midwives and obstetricians have observed that a woman is more likely to develop preeclampsia if her mother or sister had the disorder. Similarly, preeclampsia also runs in the families of men who father preeclamptic pregnancies.
"As it is the baby's genes that produce the placenta, we set out to see if we could find a link between the baby's DNA and the condition," adds Dr. Morgan, noting their study is the first genetic study of preeclampsia to focus on the DNA of the offspring.
Newly Discovered DNA Variants
The GWAS analysis, performed at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK, and deCODE Genetics in Reykjavik, Iceland, identified two previously unknown DNA variants significantly linked to preeclampsia. Despite their common occurrence in about half the population, these variants are not enough to cause preeclampsia on their own; they simply raise the risk.
These new variants are located near the FLT1 gene, which codes for a cell-surface receptor known to be involved in the creation of new blood vessels. One form of FLT1 has been linked to preeclampsia before. If placental levels of the associated protein become too high, they enter the pregnant woman's bloodstream and can damage her blood vessels, resulting in high blood pressure and damage to her liver, kidneys, and brain.
The team is now analyzing the genomes of another 4,220 babies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan who were born to women who had preeclamptic pregnancies to see if they also have these DNA variants.
With new insights into the genetic factors contributing to preeclampsia, researchers hope to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies for this potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication.
- The genetic study on preeclampsia's origins uncovers a link between a child's DNA and the risk of this serious pregnancy complication.
- Dr. Linda Morgan, a renowned researcher from the University of Nottingham, UK, leads this 5-year investigation.
- Preeclampsia, marked by a sudden increase in blood pressure during the 20th week of pregnancy, can cause harm to a mother's brain, liver, and kidneys.
- Preeclampsia affects approximately 5% of pregnancies, making it a leading cause of pregnancy- and birth-related deaths.
- This new investigation involved a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 4,380 children born to mothers who developed preeclampsia and 310,238 whose mothers did not have the condition.
- Midwives and obstetricians have often noticed that a woman is more likely to develop preeclampsia if her mother or sister also experienced the condition.
- Similarly, preeclampsia also tends to run in the families of men who father preeclamptic pregnancies.
- As the baby's genes create the placenta, a focus was placed on finding a link between the baby's DNA and the condition.
- This study is the first genetic investigation of preeclampsia to focus on the DNA of the offspring.
- The GWAS analysis in the UK and Iceland identified two previously unknown DNA variants significantly linked to preeclampsia.
- These new variants, common in about half the population, raise the risk of preeclampsia but are not enough to cause it alone.
- These DNA variants are located near the FLT1 gene, known for producing a cell-surface receptor involved in new blood vessel creation.
- One form of FLT1 has been linked to preeclampsia before, and high levels of the associated protein can damage a pregnant woman's blood vessels.
- Further research will scrutinize the genomes of another 4,220 babies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to see if they also have these DNA variants.
- Researchers hope that new insights into the genetic factors contributing to preeclampsia will lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
- These discoveries showcase the importance of science and technology in addressing and alleviating chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- In the workplace, wellness initiatives can include programs aimed at improving employees' health and managing medical conditions like preeclampsia.
- Preeclampsia is among the many chronic diseases that can negatively impact an individual's quality of life and ability to work.
- Sleep is essential for maintaining good health and managing workplace-related stress, especially for people with medical conditions like preeclampsia.
- Employers can promote health-and-wellness by offering resources, support, and accommodations for employees dealing with chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- Fitness-and-exercise is an essential aspect of maintaining overall health and managing the symptoms of chronic diseases, such as preeclampsia.
- An adequate diet is crucial to maintaining good health and reducing the risk of long-term health complications associated with chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- Dietary changes may be required for managing specific medical conditions like preeclampsia, and consultations with healthcare professionals are recommended.
- Eye-health, hearing, digestive-health, and skin-care are all critical aspects of an individual's overall health, and maintaining these areas can help manage symptoms associated with chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- Managing mental-health is vital in the workplace, especially for individuals with chronic diseases like preeclampsia, as it can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Men's-health issues are also crucial to consider, as they can impact fertility and the risk of developing chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- Therapies-and-treatments, like medications and lifestyle modifications, are often used to manage symptoms and prevent long-term health complications associated with chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- Aging is a natural process that brings about numerous changes in the body, including the increased risk of developing chronic diseases like preeclampsia.
- As the healthcare industry evolves and becomes more inclusive, addressing women's health, men's health, and other critical health issues will remain a top priority.
