Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variant C677T and folate levels in non-syndromic cleft lip/palate among Sindhi, Pakistani population

The object ives of this study were to determine the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reduc tase (MTHFR) gene variant C67 7 T with non -syndromic cl eft lip/palate (NSCLP) in Pakistani population and compare the m aternal serum foli c acid levels in NSCLP-affected and healthy group. A c om parative cross sec ti onal study was conducted between 2017 and 2019 at Liaquat U niversity of Medi cal and Health Science s, Jamshoro. Sixty motherinfant dy ads were recruited (n=120), inc luding NSCLP-affected and healthy infants alo ng with t heir mother s. The MTHFR C677T vari ant exhibited si gnificant association with NSCLP in dominant and over-domi nant models. No differences in maternal serum folic acid levels were obse rved between both th e groups; however, the folic acid intake during pre-conception period was associated w ith decreased risk for NSC LP. Our stu dy suggested that MTHFR 677 CT genotype was related with decreased risk for NSCLP in Sindhi, Pakistani, population. Pre -conception folic acid may decrease the ri sk for ora l clefts.