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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2006;296:1713-1716.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Researchers have identified a genetic variant in black women that increases the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)—a leading cause of preterm birth (Wang H et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. doi: 10.1073/pnas. 0603676103 [published online ahead of print August 21, 2006]).

"This is probably the most convincing study to date that specific, fairly common, genetic variants will increase risk," said Nancy Green, MD, medical director of the March of Dimes.

A genetic variant found in approximately 12.4% of black women can cause weakened amniotic membranes during pregnancy, increasing the risk of preterm birth. (Photo credit: Tina Stallard/http://www.sciencesource.com)

In addition to helping explain why black women in the United States are nearly twice as likely to have a baby born prematurely as white women, the new findings could help physicians identify those women who are at risk and guide . . . [Full Text of this Article]

GENETIC PREDISPOSITION