Objective To determine the genotype distribution of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, A1298C and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G involved in the folic acid biosynthetic pathway among Chinese Han women in Sichuan, so as to provide pregnant women with guidance of supplementing folic acid. Methods By means of Taqman-MGB, 2382 samples from Deyang region in Sichuan province were tested for detecting the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G polymorphisms, and then the results were compared with published data in Shandong, Henan and Hainan provinces. Results The allele frequencies of MTHFR C677T were 63.45 and 36.55, those of MTHFR A1298C were 78.20 and 21.80, and those of MTRR A66G were 72.81 and 27.19. There were significant differences in allele distribution of MTHFR C677T and A1298C between Sichuan Han women and other region population. Conclusion This study suggests that the polymorphism of MTHFR C677T and A1298C exhibits region heterogeneity. The polymorphisms of MTHFR may play a role in neural tube defects (NTDs) risk, so periconceptional folic acid supplementation and healthcare following gene polymorphism testing may be a powerful measure to decrease congenital malformations of the central nervous system.
ObjectiveTo determine teratogenicity of beta-blockers in early pregnancy. MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Clinical Trials, clinicaltrials.gov, CBM, Wanfang database, and CNKI from establishment of each database to December 2014. We evaluated the quality of included literature. Statistical analysis was conducted in RevMan5.3 software. ResultsFifteen population-based case-control or cohort studies were identified. The score of included studies changed from 5-7 points. Based on meta-analysis, first trimester oral beta-blocker use showed no increased odds of all or major congenital anomalies. While in analysis examining organ-specific malformations, statistically increased odds of cardiovascular (CV) defects with OR 2.21 and 95% CI 1.63 to 3.01, cleft lip/palate (CL/P) with OR 3.11 and 95% CI 1.78 to 9.89, and neural tube (NT) defects with OR 3.56 and 95% CI 1.19 to 10.67 were observed. ConclusionCausality is difficult to interpret given small number of heterogeneous studies and possibility of biases. Given the frequency of this exposure in pregnancy, further research is needed.