Pre-Existing Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and KidneyDisease as Risk Factors of Pre-Eclampsia: A Disease of Theories and Its Association with Genetic Polymorphism

Biochemical investigation of FOXP3 genetic polymorphism and its association with biochemical parameters in pre-eclampsia patients

This study addresses the pivotal question of the association between FOXP3 gene polymorphism and pre-eclampsia (PE), employing the Tetra ARMS PCR method for analysis. PE, a multifaceted disorder marked by hypertension and organ dysfunction during pregnancy, led to an exploration of FOXP3 due to its integral role in immune regulation and its implication in various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The primary objective was to discern the relationship between FOXP3 gene polymorphism (rs2232365) and the risk of PE. Recruiting 200 PE patients and 100 healthy pregnant women as controls, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and FOXP3 promoter region polymorphism was meticulously examined using the Tetra ARMS PCR method. The results revealed significant differences in FOXP3 gene polymorphism between PE patients and healthy controls. Specifically, certain alleles and genotypes were more frequent in PE patients, suggesting a potential genetic predisposition to this disorder. Our findings showed that rs2232365 A/G variant was found to be associated with PE under the overdominance model [OR=1.89, CI 95%= 0.99-3.60, P<0.05]. The heterozygous genotype (A/G) of FOXP3 (rs2232365) was associated with increasing the level of clinical and biochemical markers in mild and severe PE patients when compared to controls. Thus, the FOXP3 (rs2232365) A/G variant can be considered a substantial risk factor for PE.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Maternal Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the number-one cause of maternal mortality, with over two-thirds of cases being preventable. Social determinants of health (SDoH) encompass the nonmedical social and environmental factors that an individual experiences that have a significant impact on their health. These stressors disproportionately affect socially disadvantaged and minority populations. Pregnancy is a physiologically stressful state that can unmask underlying CVD risk factors and lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Disparities in APOs are particularly pronounced among individuals of color and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This variation underscores healthcare inequity and access, a failure of the healthcare system. Besides short-term negative effects, APOs also are associated strongly with long-term CVDs. APOs therefore must be identified as a cue for early intervention, for the prevention and management of CVD risk factors. This review explores the intricate relationship among maternal morbidity and mortality, SDoH, and cardiovascular health, and the implementation of health policy efforts to reduce the negative impact of SDoH in this patient population. The review emphasizes the importance of comprehensive strategies to improve maternal health outcomes.