The absence of factor V Leiden mutation in Malays with recurrent spontaneous abortions

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation in Malay women with recurrent spontaneous abortion and to clarify the contribution of the factor V Leiden mutation to recurrent miscarriages in these women.

DESIGN: A prospective case control study between June 1999 and April 2000.

SETTING: Hospital University Science of Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, and Maternal and Child Health Clinic, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia.

SAMPLES: A total of 46 Malay women with a history of three or more first or second trimester miscarriages were studied. The control group consisted of 46 parous women without obstetric complications.

METHODS: Diagnosis of factor V Leiden mutation was made by examination of factor V Leiden allele product following Mnl I digestion of factor V Leiden alleles amplified by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: None of the 46 women with recurrent spontaneous abortion carried the mutation. Also, we found no subject carrying the factor V Leiden alleles in the control group.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that that there is no association between the factor V Leiden mutation and recurrent spontaneous abortion in the Malay population.