Candidate gene linkage approach to identify DNA variants that predispose to preterm birth

Background: The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants contributing to preterm birth (PTB) using a linkage candidate gene approach. Methods: We studied 99 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for 33 genes in 257 families with PTBs segregating. Nonparametric and parametric analyses were used. Premature infants and mothers of premature infants were defined as affected cases in independent analyses. Results: Analyses with the infant as the case identified two genes with evidence of linkage: CRHR1 ( P = 0.0012) and CYP2E1 ( P = 0.0011). Analyses with the mother as the case identified four genes with evidence of linkage: ENPP1 ( P = 0.003), IGFBP3 ( P = 0.006), DHCR7 ( P = 0.009), and TRAF2 ( P = 0.01). DNA sequence analysis of the coding exons and splice sites for CRHR1 and TRAF2 identified no new likely etiologic variants. Conclusion: These findings suggest the involvement of six genes acting through the infant and/or the mother in the etiology of PTB.