Premarital Screening Program for Congenital Factor XIII Deficiency in Iran

Background: Factor XIII deficiency is one of the most severe congenital bleeding disorders with high rate of life-threatening bleeding including central nervous system bleeding, umbilical cord bleeding, and recurrent miscarriages. Due to the highest global incidence of the disorder in Iran, this study aimed to design a premarital screening program in Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 30 couples with a positive family history of factor XIII deficiency. Underling F13A gene mutation was determined in the family members, and all the selected couples underwent molecular testing mutations by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), tetra primer-amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (T-ARMS-PCR), and sequencing. Results: The probability of affected childbirth existed for ten couples. Three couples decided not to marry, while seven got married and three of them decided to have a baby. The genotypes of the fetuses were determined and revealed that none of them was a homozygote for the F13A gene mutation. Conclusions: Because of the importance of factor XIII deficiency diagnosis, it can be helpful to control the incidence of factor XIII deficiency by implementing preventive programs such as premarital screening.