Gender dependent association between perinatal morbidity and estrogen receptor-alpha Pvull polymorphism.
OBJECTIVE
Assuming the importance of estrogen in perinatal physiology, we tested the association of an estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) gene Pvull pP polymorphism with perinatal morbidity in premature infants.


METHODS
The ER-alpha Pp genotype was determined in 69 low-birth weight (LBW) boys and 72 LBW girls, 86 term boys and 81 term girls. The association between risk factors, genotype, gender and perinatal morbidity was tested with binary logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Boys carrying "p" allele were at lower risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (OR [95% Cl]: 0.24 [0.07-0.83]) and patent ductus arteriosus (OR [95% Cl]: 0.24 [0.05-0.97]). The carrier state of the "p" allele was associated with a 34-h shorter period of oxygen supplementation on average (P=0.0018). Boys with pp genotype were at greater risk for intraventricular hemorrhage (OR [95% Cl]: 4.39 [1.15-16.82]). No association between ER-alpha Pvull polymorphism and morbidity was present in girls.


CONCLUSIONS
Since homozygocity for any Pvull alleles (i.e. having PP or pp genotype) increases the risk for at least one of the most common perinatal complications, it is likely that the heterozygous carrier state of Pvull genotypes has a protective effect, which is gender-dependent.
Derzbach
László
L
Ist Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary. derla@gyer1@sote.hu
Treszl
András
A
Balogh
Adám
A
Vásárhelyi
Barna
B
Tulassay
Tivadar
T
Rigó J
János
J
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha