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Chronic hepatitis B infection is genetically linked to a markedly increased risk of both pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, supporting its role as a potential prenatal risk factor.
A new Mendelian randomisation (MR) study has revealed a potential genetic link between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and a heightened risk of eclampsia and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
Rui Pu and other researchers carried out a two-sample MR analysis via genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from 3 large-scale cohorts. CHB infection data were derived from 351,885 individuals in the UK Biobank, while pre-eclampsia and eclampsia data were sourced from 2 FinnGen datasets involving 118,291 and 126,760 individuals, respectively. The study selected genetic variants substantially linked with CHB infection (p < 5 × 10⁻⁸) as instrumental variables. The primary statistical method applied was the inverse-variance weighted approach.
To ascertain robustness, several sensitivity analyses were executed, including MR-PRESSO, MR-Egger regression, weighted mode, and weighted median. Horizontal and heterogeneity pleiotropy were evaluated via Cochran’s Q and MR-Egger intercept tests. Genetically predicted CHB infection was considerably associated with an elevated risk of pre-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.154) and eclampsia (OR = 1.561). These connections remained consistent across all sensitivity analyses. The results offer novel genetic evidence supporting a causal link between CHB infection and the likelihood of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
The researchers recommend considering chronic hepatitis B status as a clinical risk factor and suggest implementing targeted hepatitis B virus screening programs for pregnant women to mitigate potential complications. This study highlights the importance of integrating infectious disease history into maternal health risk assessments and opens novel avenues for preventive strategies in obstetric care.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
Chronic hepatitis B infection and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia: a Mendelian randomisation study
Rui Pu et al.
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