title: Glucocorticoid receptor-9beta polymorphism is associated with systolic blood pressure and heart growth during early childhood. The Generation R Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  glucocorticoid receptor-9β polymorphism (rs6198) is associated with the susceptibility for cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to examine whether the GR-9 β variant is also associated with blood pressure and heart growth in early childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  this study was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards. Analyses were based on 857 children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Left cardiac structures (aortic root diameter, left atrial diameter and left ventricular mass), shortening fraction and heart beat were measured postnatally at the ages of 1.5, 6 and 24 months. Blood pressure was measured at 24 months of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the distribution of the GR-9β genotype showed 75.1% homozygous reference, 23.5% heterozygous and 1.4% homozygous variant subjects. No differences in cardiovascular outcomes were observed at the ages of 1.5 and 6 months. At the age of 24 months, homozygous variants showed an increased systolic blood pressure of 2.65 mmHg (95% CI: 0.16, 5.14), an increased heart rate of 9.10 beats per minute (95% CI: 1.28, 16.7) and an increased left ventricular mass of 4.99 g (95% CI: 1.33, 8.65) compared to homozygous references. This means an increase of 2.6%, 8.6% and 16%, respectively. GR-9 β polymorphism was significantly associated with left ventricular mass growth during the first 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  our findings suggest that genetically determined differences in cortisol exposure affect cardiovascular development in early life.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.geelhoed@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: J J Miranda
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Geelhoed
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Duijn
authors.forename: Lennie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Osch-Gevers
authors.forename: Eric A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Willem A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Helbing
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006321:Heart / Q000254:growth & development*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C497713:NR3C1 protein, human; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid