Genetic overlap and causality between depression and preterm birth: a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known regarding the shared genetic architecture underlying the phenotypic associations between depression and preterm birth (PTB). We aim to investigate the genetic overlap and causality of depression with PTB.

Methods

Leveraging summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association studies for broad depression (N_total = 807,533), major depression (N_total = 173,005), bipolar disorder (N_total = 414,466), and PTB (N_total = 226,330), we conducted a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis to assess global and local genetic correlations, identify pleiotropic loci, and infer potential causal relationships.

Results

Positive genetic correlations were observed between PTB and broad depression (r

SUBMITTER: Zhang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12527502 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature