Understanding genetic risk of preterm birth in British South Asian women
Research institute:
Institute for Women’s Health,
University College LondonProject dates:
Grant Awarded: 28 Jun 2024
Funding awarded:
Grant Amount: £50,000
South Asian women have a higher chance of preterm birth, but we don’t understand why. In this project Dr Julia Zöllner is investigating whether variations in DNA might partly explain this elevated risk. This research could lead to new ways to help predict if someone is at risk of preterm labour, allowing doctors to intervene early to prevent their baby from being born too soon.
The challenge
Most women give birth prematurely without any warning, and we still don’t know why this is the case. South Asian women in particular have a higher risk of preterm birth compared to white European women, but the reasons for this are unclear.
We need to better understand the different factors that put women at risk of preterm birth, so that doctors can intervene early to prevent babies from being born too soon.
The project
Variations in our DNA can affect our chances of developing many different diseases and conditions. And there is increasing evidence that variations in a woman’s DNA may affect her risk of preterm birth. South Asian women are at increased risk of preterm birth, and Dr Julia Zöllner believes that their genetic heritage could partly explain this elevated risk.
In this project, Dr Zöllner is using data from an existing study called the Genes and Health cohort, which includes genetic information from thousands of British South Asian people. By analysing this data using cutting-edge techniques, she is looking for variations in the DNA that might affect a person’s chances of having a preterm baby before 36 weeks – which carries the highest risk to the baby.
What difference will this project make?
We need to better understand what puts different people at risk of going into labour early. The knowledge generated by Dr Zöllner’s research could eventually lead to genetic tests for the British South Asian community to predict a person’s chances of preterm birth. It could also improve our understanding of the genetic causes of preterm birth for all groups of women. Ultimately, Dr Zollner’s research could help to predict and prevent preterm labour, and ensure more babies are born healthy.
