Associations between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to pre-eclampsia. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the -634 C/G, +936 C/T, -1154 A/G, and -2578 A/C polymorphisms of VEGF and pre-eclampsia. Results: Ten studies involving 2068 subjects (pre-eclampsia, 950; controls, 1118) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed an association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -634C allele in overall group (OR = 1.351, 95% CI = 1.105-1.651, p = 0.003) and in European group (OR = 1.427, 95% CI = 1.139-1.787, p = 0.002). The meta-analysis revealed an association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -936T allele in Asians, but not in Europeans (OR = 1.555, 95% CI = 1.232-1.961, p = 1.9 x 10(-5); OR -1.587, 95% CI -0.933-2.699, p = 0.088). However, the meta-analysis revealed no association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -1154 A/G and 2578 A/C polymorphisms Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested that the VEGF -634 C/G polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to pre-eclampsia in Europeans and that the VEGF -634 C/G polymorphism is associated with pre-eclampsia in Asians.