Researchers find heart disorder genetic variants in stillbirth cases

Researchers conducted a molecular genetic evaluation (referred to as a postmortem cardiac channel molecular autopsy) in 91 cases of unexplained fetal death (stillbirths) from 2006-2012. They discovered the prevalence of mutations in the three most common LQTS-susceptible genes, KCNQ1, KCNH2 and SCN5A. Two of the most common genes were discovered in three cases (KCNQ1 and KCNH2); and five of the cases exhibited SCN5A rare non-synonymous genetic variants.

Intrauterine fetal death or still birth happens in approximately one out of every 160 pregnancies and accounts for 50 percent of all perinatal deaths. "We know that the post-mortem evaluation often has not been able to explain these deaths," says Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and co-study senior author along with Peter J. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Pavia, Italy. "Those of us who study LQTS and treat LQTS patients have often wondered whether LQTS may be the cause of some of these deaths."

In the study, more than 1,300 ostensibly healthy individuals served as controls. In addition, publicly available exome (the entire portion of the genome consisting of protein-coding sequences) databases were assessed for the general population frequency of identified genetic variances.

"Our preliminary evidence suggests that LQTS may be the cause for approximately 5 percent of otherwise unexplained stillbirths and points to the need for further large-scale studies," says Dr. Ackerman, director of Mayo's LQTS Clinic and Windland Smith Rice Cardiovascular Genomics Research Professor. "With LQTS, when we know of its presence, it is a very treatable condition but still more work needs to be done to prevent the family's first tragedy from occurring."

In LQTS, which affects one in 2,000 people, the rapid heartbeats can trigger a sudden fainting spell, seizure, or sudden death. Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias can occur unexpectedly, mainly during childhood or adolescence. Treatment can involve medication, medical devices, or surgery.

Other study authors are: Lia Crotti, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; David Tester, Wendy White, M.D., Melissa Will, Jennifer Blair, Daniel Van Dyke, Ph.D., Myra Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Brian Brost, M.D., all of Mayo Clinic; Daniel Bartos, Ellyn Velasco, Brian Delisle, Ph.D., all of University of Kentucky, Lexington; Robert Insolia, Ph.D., and Alice Ghidoni, both University of Pavia; Alessandra Besana, Ph.D., IRCCS Instituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy; Jennifer Kunic and Alfred L. George Jr., M.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; Irene Cetin, M.D., University of Milan, Italy; and Fabio Facchinetti, M.D., University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.