The association of the carrier state of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) -308A allele with the duration of oxygen supplementation in preterm neonates.
BACKGROUND
High levels of inflammatory cytokines lead to lung damage in premature newborns. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of innate immunity cytokine genes influence the length of oxygen supplementation.


METHODS
We genotyped 123 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants for the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha G(-308)A, interleukin (IL)-1beta C(3954)T, IL-6 G(-174)C and IL-10 G(-1082)A SNPs. Genomic DNA was isolated from remnant dried blood samples from the neonates. We tested the association between SNPs and ventilation characteristics using a stepwise multiple regression analysis model.


RESULTS
The carrier state of the TNF-alpha G(-308)A allele was associated with a 40-hour longer period of mechanical ventilation (p=0.004) and, on average, an additional 36 hours of oxygen supplementation (p=0.0008). The association was significant after its adjustment for perinatal risk factors for lung damage.


CONCLUSIONS
The TNF-alpha G(308)A genotype - which is associated with increased TNF-alpha levels - might influence the supplemental oxygen requirement of VLBW infants.
Bokodi
Géza
G
First Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Bókay u. 53, H-1083 Budapest, Hungary.
Treszl
András
A
Derzbach
László
L
Balogh
Adám
A
Vásárhelyi
Barna
B
D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005865:Gestational Age; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D010100:Oxygen