title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with severe hypoxemia in pediatric ARDS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The D allele of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of a 287-bp sequence in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with an increased activity of this enzyme. Its role in susceptibility to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been well defined. We hypothesized that ACE I/D genotype in pediatrics is associated with ARDS and plasma levels of angiotensin II.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case-control study in patients under 15 years of age from a mixed Chilean population. Sixty patients with ARDS and 60 controls were included. Association between ACE genotype and ARDS was evaluated as the primary outcome; mortality and severe hypoxemia were examined as secondary outcomes. Plasma angiotensin-II concentration was measured by immunoassay at admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of ACE I/D genotype was similar in ARDS and control groups (p = 0.18). In the ARDS group, severe hypoxemia was less frequent in D allele carriers (p < 0.05). Plasma angiotensin-II levels were associated with genotype in the ARDS group, but not controls, being higher in D allele carriers (p = 0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data do not support the association between ACE I/D genotype and ARDS, although severe hypoxemia was less frequent in D allele carriers. ACE I/D polymorphism modified angiotensin-II levels in pediatric ARDS, but its pathogenic role is not well understood and needs to be addressed in future studies.
authors: Área de Cuidados Críticos, Hospital Padre Hurtado, Avda Esperanza 2150, San Ramón, Santiago, Chile. pcrucesr@gmail.com
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Cruces
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Díaz
authors: Alonso
authors: A
authors: Puga
authors: Benjamín
authors: B
authors: Erranz
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: Donoso
authors: Cristóbal
authors: C
authors: Carvajal
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Wilhelm
authors: Gabriela M
authors: GM
authors: Repetto
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional / Q000235:genetics*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D000804:Angiotensin II; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A