The Asian Man - An International Journal
Year : 2008, Volume : 2, Issue : 2
First page : ( 221) Last page : ( 224)
Print ISSN : 0974-6366.

A note on factor V Leiden Mutation and recurrent pregnancy loss

Dr. Mukhopadhyay Rupak

Bio-chemical and Molecular Anthropology Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi.

Abstract

Thrombophilias are inherited or acquired conditions, which predispose an individual to thromboembolism (tendency to blood clot). Factor V Leiden (l691G-+A) has been described as a major cause of predisposition to thromboembolism as the mutation creates resistance to the anticoagulant activity of activated protein C (APC). Women who carry inherited thrombophilias are at much higher risk to have clotting problem leading to miscarriage compared to normal women. As the complications have a tendency to recur, the presence of genetic thrombophilia in women is an important consideration in planning future pregnancies. Nevertheless, counseling should be provided to carriers of Leiden mutation with regard to their own and their family members’ thromboembolic risk. Moreover for last two decades the findings on pregnancy complications (including recurrent pregnancy loss) associated with factor V Leiden presents a conflicting picture. Few studies found association while others did not. The basic drawback of such association studies seems to be the selection of heterogeneous population instead of maintaining patient's ethnic homogeneity. Considering the whole scenario, the present paper gives a short note on the importance and applicability of anthropological knowleqge in association studies with special reference to factor V Leiden and recurrent pregnancy loss.

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