Frequency of Leiden Mutation in Newborns with Birth Weight below 1500 g

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that fetal prematurity or Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) could be related to the presence of factor V of Leiden mutation. This mutation is associated with a higher incidence of pregnancy difficulties that can result in preterm birth. The frequency of Leiden mutation was investigated in the group of newborns with a low birth weight below 1500 g over a six-year period from 2015 to 2020. During this period, 339 newborns were tested, of which 42 newborns with V Leiden mutation (12.4%) were detected. The average of its occurrence frequency in the Czech population was determined as 5.0% based on published studies. In our research, the occurrence of the V Leiden mutation was found significantly higher in newborns under 1500 g. At the same time, we did not demonstrate an increased frequency of births at lower gestational weeks, lower birth weight, or an association with sex in newborns with a positive diagnosis of the Leiden V factor.