Researches Look for Genetical Explanation of Vanishing Twin Syndrome

A Turkish study looks at Vanishing Twin Syndrome and whether or not there could be a genetic reason behind it. The study was published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. The researchers looked at a possible link to methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms. The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. It has many important functions. Among other things it plays a role in processing amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Four groups were included in the study. 38 women with Vanishing Twin Syndrome pregnancies, 109 singleton pregnancies, 70 spontaneous twin pregnancies and 101 twin pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technology.

Results

21.1 percent of the pregnancies with Vanishing Twin Syndrome resulted in a miscarriage of the second twin. The women in this loss group had the highest prevalence of earlier losses compared with the other groups. The researchers also found that the Vanishing twin pregnancy group had a higher frequency of MTHFR 677 and MTHFR 1298 – higher than those in a healthy population. The researchers concluded that MTHFR polymorphisms may play an incidental or factual role in connection with Vanishing Twin Syndrome.