Vascular endothelial growth factor and recurrent spontaneous abortion: A meta-analysis

To evaluate the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), a meta-analysis of published case–control studies for the VEGF gene polymorphisms (gene polymorphisms reported more than three times were selected) and the risk of RSA. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for codominant, dominant and recessive genetic models were assessed by RevMan software. Eight studies with 2813 cases and 2830 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that − 2578C/A, − 1154G/A polymorphisms of VEGF were not significantly associated with the risk of RSA neither under codominant model nor under dominant model, nor under recessive model. Whereas, for − 634G/C polymorphism, the pooled OR and 95% CI were 1.23 (1.01–1.49) under recessive model; and for 936C/T polymorphism, the pooled OR and 95% CI were 1.34 (1.07–1.67) and 1.40 (1.09–1.80) under codominant and dominant models, respectively. This meta-analysis suggested that VEGF gene − 2578C/A, − 1154G/A polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the risk of RSA, whereas, − 634G/C and + 936C/T polymorphisms were associated with the risk of RSA under specific genetic models.

► We performed a meta-analysis to assess the association of VEGF polymorphisms with RSA.
► The results suggested that – 2578C/A, – 1154G/A were not significantly associated with RSA.
► Whereas, – 634G/C and + 936C/T may be associated with RSA.
► The results need to be confirmed by further studies.