TY - JOUR T1 - Geographical and ethnic variation of the 677C&gt;T allele of 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (<em>MTHFR</em>): findings from over 7000 newborns from 16 areas world wide JF - Journal of Medical Genetics JO - J Med Genet SP - 619 LP - 625 DO - 10.1136/jmg.40.8.619 VL - 40 IS - 8 AU - B Wilcken AU - F Bamforth AU - Z Li AU - H Zhu AU - A Ritvanen AU - M Redlund AU - C Stoll AU - Y Alembik AU - B Dott AU - A E Czeizel AU - Z Gelman-Kohan AU - G Scarano AU - S Bianca AU - G Ettore AU - R Tenconi AU - S Bellato AU - I Scala AU - O M Mutchinick AU - M A López AU - H de Walle AU - R Hofstra AU - L Joutchenko AU - L Kavteladze AU - E Bermejo AU - M L Martínez-Frías AU - M Gallagher AU - J D Erickson AU - S E Vollset AU - P Mastroiacovo AU - G Andria AU - L D Botto Y1 - 2003/08/01 UR - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/40/8/619.abstract N2 - Since its biochemical characterisation in 19911 and its genetic identification in 1995,2 677C&gt;T allele (T allele) of the 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been a focus of increasing interest from researchers world wide. The expanding spectrum of common conditions linked with the 677C&gt;T allele now includes certain adverse birth outcomes (including birth defects), pregnancy complications, cancers, adult cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric disorders.3–8 Although several of these associations remain unconfirmed or controversial,4 their scope is such that it becomes of interest to explore the geographical and ethnic distribution of the allele and associated genotypes.9 Accurate information on such distribution can contribute to studies of gene-disease associations (by providing reference population data) and population genetics (by highlighting geographical and ethnic variations suggestive of evolutionary pressures),10 as well as help to evaluate health impact (by allowing estimates of population attributable fraction).Current population data, however, show gaps and even for some ethnic groups or large geographical areas (for example, China) few data are available.3 Our aim was to supplement the available data by collecting a large and diverse sample of newborns from different geographical areas and ethnic groups, and to examine international variations in the distribution of the 677C&gt;T allele. We present findings relating to more than 7000 newborns from 16 areas around the world. The study was conducted under the auspices of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defect Monitoring Systems (ICBDMS) and was coordinated through its head office, the International Center on Birth Defects (ICBD). Sample selection Participating programmes, in consultation with the coordinating group, identified a population sampling approach that would be simple yet minimise sampling bias with respect to the MTHFR genotype. We made an explicit attempt to sample systematically the newborn population. Details of each programme’s approach are listed below, and further … ER -