Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40025425›Full record

SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

Global and population-specific association of MTHFR polymorphisms with preterm birth risk: a consolidated analysis of 44 studies.

Maryam Vafapour, Hanieh Talebi, Mahsa Danaei, Maryam Yeganegi, Sepideh Azizi, Seyed Alireza Dastgheib, Reza Bahrami, Melina Pourkazemi, Fatemeh Jayervand, Amirhossein Shahbazi and 4 more

Abstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. NewbornGenes · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Maryam VafapourDepartment of Pediatrics, Firoozabadi Clinical Research Development Unit, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hanieh TalebiClinical Research Development Unit, Fatemieh Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. h.talebi.ped@gmail.com.
Mahsa DanaeiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam YeganegiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran.
Sepideh AziziShahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyed Alireza DastgheibDepartment of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Reza BahramiNeonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Melina PourkazemiStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh JayervandDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amirhossein ShahbaziStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Heewa RashnavadiStudent Research Committee, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ali MasoudiMother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Amirmasoud ShiriDepartment of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Hossein NeamatzadehMother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study investigates the relationship between polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene and the risk of preterm birth (PTB).

methodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, with the search finalized on January 1, 2025. The review specifically targeted studies published prior to this date, utilizing relevant keywords and MeSH terms associated with PTB and genetic factors. Inclusion criteria encompassed original case-control, longitudinal, or cohort studies, with no limitations on language or publication date. Associations were quantified using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) via Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.

resultsThe analysis included 44 case-control studies comprising 7,384 cases and 51,449 controls, extracted from 28 publications in both English and Chinese. Among these studies, 29 focused on the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, while 15 examined the MTHFR A1298C variant. Pooled results demonstrated a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and PTB under five genetic models: allele (C vs. T; OR = 1.303, 95% CI 1.151-1.475, p ≤ 0.001), homozygote (CC vs. AA; OR = 1.494, 95% CI 1.212-1.842, p ≤ 0.001), heterozygote (CT vs. AA; OR = 1.303, 95% CI 1.119-1.516, p = 0.001), dominant (CC + CT vs. AA; OR = 1.341, 95% CI 1.161-1.548, p ≤ 0.001), and recessive (CC vs. CT + AA; OR = 1.340, 95% CI 1.119-1.604, p = 0.001). Subgroup analyses indicated significant associations in Asian populations, particularly in studies conducted in China and India, while no significant correlations were found in Caucasian populations, including those from Austria. Moreover, the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism did not demonstrate a significant relationship with PTB risk across the studied ethnicities.

conclusionsThe findings indicate a significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and PTB risk, particularly in Asian and Indian populations, while no significant associations were identified in Caucasian groups. Conversely, the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism appeared to have a negligible impact on PTB risk, underscoring the importance of considering population-specific factors in understanding the genetic epidemiology of PTB.

Indexed as

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)Premature BirthAsian PeopleCase-Control StudiesFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansPolymorphism, Single NucleotidePregnancyRisk FactorsWhite PeopleMethylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)MTHFR protein, humanEthnic variabilityGenetic polymorphismsMTHFR genePregnancy complicationsPreterm birth

Identifiers

PMID40025425
PMCPMC11871749

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.