Enviromental, Genetic Factors May Play Causal Role in Preeclampsia.

WASHINGTON -- Several genes and environmental factors appear to influence maternal predisposition for developing preeclampsia, said Dr. James J. Walker at the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Preeclampsia is increasingly thought to be a potential familial disease, noted Dr. Walker, who summarized the results of recent studies exploring the genetics of preeclampsia at the meeting, which was also sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

A 49-year follow-up study of the genetics of hypertension in pregnancy found the disorder to be "highly heritable." Researchers found preeclampsia in 37% of 147 sisters, 25% of 248 daughters, and 16% of 74 granddaughters of eclamptic patients studied 49 years previously (Br. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. 93[93:898-908, 1986).

The wide variation in presentation and progression of the disease suggests the existence of genetic factors that modulate the process, he said. Studies conducted to date have revealed a number of modulator genes, including angiotensinogen, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, glutathione S-transferase P1, lipoprotein lipase, HLA-G, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, factor V Leiden mutation, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and ...