Genetic Variants and Susceptibility to Diseases of Prematurity in Very Low Birth-Weight Infants
Medical College of Wisconsin
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if sequence variations in genes involved in the development and function of vulnerable organs increases susceptibility to chronic lung disease (CLD) and other diseases affecting premature infants, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). The study will also determine whether measurement of certain biomarkers in serum will identify infants who will develop these complications of prematurity. Previous studies from this institution and others have identified genetic variants in some genes, such as toll like receptor genes are associated with higher risk of CLD or NEC. The interaction of these variants with other gene variants that can influence the risk of these diseases remains unclear.
Description
Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) is diagnosed in 30-40% of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (\<1500gms) and remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term morbidity in this population. Other diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) also contribute to mortality and morbidity in this population. A central tenet in the pathogenesis of NEC, CLD and sepsis is the failure of host genome-regulated immune defenses to surmount the challenges posed by microbial pathogens in the presence of risk-factor…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Not specified
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Infants born weighing less than 1500 grams Exclusion Criteria: * Infants born with congenital heart disease (other than patent ductus arteriosus) * major congenital anomalies of the GI tract, respiratory tract, or kidneys
Interventions
- Geneticgene variations
comparing variations in genes in infants who develop chronic lung disease and other diseases of prematurity and those who do not.
Location
- Children's WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin