Reddy, PoovendhreeNaidoo, Rajen N.Chuturgoon, Anil A.Asharam, KareshmaPhulukdaree, AlisaGounden, Shivona2014-06-242014-06-242014-04Reddy, P, Naidoo, R.N., Chuturgoon, A., Asharam, K., Phulukdaree, A. and Gounden, S. 2014. Effect of the TNF α-308 polymorphism on birth outcomes among South African women. Journal of Advances in Biomedical Studies. 1(1): 21-26.2373-1222http://hdl.handle.net/10321/1083The −308 G/A promoter polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) gene has been extensively studied as a potential biomarker for pregnancy outcomes, but results tend to be population specific. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the TNF α-308 polymorphism with preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) in a cohort of South African women enrolled in a prospective pregnancy study. The Mother and Child Environmental cohort (MACE) pilot study was done in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal during 2010-2011 with 100 pregnant women recruited. Demographic, exposure and prenatal clinical data was collected during the third trimester, maternal and infant hospital records at delivery were reviewed. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the TNF-α -308 genotype. Plasma TNF-α concentration was measured using the human TNF-α Max Standard™ ELISA kit (Bio-legend). The polymorphic TNF-α GA+AA genotype was found among 35% of mothers. Mean birth weight was significantly lower among mothers with the TNF-α AG+AA genotype (p<0.05). Mothers who delivered LBW infants (<2500g) showed a significantly higher mean TNF- α level compared to mothers with normal birth weight deliveries. In addition, mothers with the TNF-α AG+AA genotype had a statistically significant drop in birth weight (β= -273.6; SE105.8; CI: -0.9,-1.35). While the TNF-α A allele was not associated with PTB, it was significantly associated with low birth weight in this study. Early identification of such immunological biomarkers may facilitate prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes.6 penTNF α-308Genetic polymorphismBirth cohortBirth outcomesArticle