Researchers identify genetic connection to postpartum hemorrhage

Drawing from the UK Biobank, an independent nonprofit initiative of more than 500,000 people, the researchers compared DNA in 1,424 women who had postpartum hemorrhage to 4,272 women who had an uncomplicated childbirth. They identified five genetic mutations that were associated with the risk for postpartum hemorrhage. The common theme in all of these mutations is that they are found near genes associated with the immune system.

The research adds to the growing evidence that the immune system plays a role in a normal pregnancy and delivery. Once the genes that have been identified in the study are verified, women could eventually be screened to determine their risk for postpartum hemorrhage, Dr. Kovacheva said.

"These newly identified mutations - or differences in the structure of the DNA - may decrease the risk for hemorrhage, but we do not know why," said Dr. Kovacheva. "We don't know if the exact genes identified are involved or if those mutations affect other genes. Our next step is to study them further to learn more about how they work."