A genetic association study of maternal and fetal candidate genes that predispose to preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM).

Objective We sought to determine whether maternal/fetal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are associated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM). Study Design A case-control study was conducted in patients with pPROM (225 mothers and 155 fetuses) and 599 mothers and 628 fetuses with a normal pregnancy; 190 candidate genes and 775 SNPs were studied. Single locus/haplotype association analyses were performed; false discovery rate was used to correct for multiple testing (q* = 0.15). Results First, a SNP in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 in mothers was significantly associated with pPROM (odds ratio, 2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–3.07; P = .000068), and this association remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Second, haplotypes for Alpha 3 type IV collagen isoform precursor in the mother were associated with pPROM (global P = .003). Third, multilocus analysis identified a 3-locus model, which included maternal SNPs in collagen type I alpha 2, defensin alpha 5 gene, and endothelin 1. Conclusion DNA variants in a maternal gene involved in extracellular matrix metabolism doubled the risk of pPROM.