title: NOD2 Loss-of-Function Mutations and Risks of Necrotizing Enterocolitis or Focal Intestinal Perforation in Very Low-birth-weight Infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  NOD2 loss-of-function mutations, that is, R702W [rs2066844], G908R [rs2066845], and Leu1007fsinsC [rs5743293], have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases. It is yet unknown whether these variants are also associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or focal intestinal perforation (FIP) in infants of very low birth weight (VLBW).
  
  
  METHODS
  To test this hypothesis, we genotyped 9082 VLBW infants with European ancestry enrolled in a prospective, population-based cohort study of the German Neonatal Network. We assessed the effect of the NOD2 gene variants on the risk for major morbidities of the gastrointestinal tract, that is, NEC/FIP requiring surgery in multivariable logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the whole cohort of VLBW infants, carriers of ≥ 2 NOD2 variant alleles had an increased risk for NEC requiring surgery (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-10.04; P = 0.03) and NEC or FIP requiring surgery (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.70-8.51; P = 0.004) as compared with wild-type genotypes. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis including gestational age, birth weight, gender, multiple birth, and inborn delivery, the association between ≥ 2 NOD2 variant alleles and NEC surgery (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 1.41-12.12; P = 0.009), FIP surgery (OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.02-12.04; P = 0.047), and NEC or FIP surgery (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.74-9.73; P = 0.001) proved to be independent. We also performed a regression analysis in the subgroup of infants with available information on Lactobacillus acidophilus/Bifidobacterium infantis probiotic supplementation (n = 3638). Although probiotics had a protective effect on NEC and NEC or FIP requiring surgery, the NOD2 variants had no significant impact in this subgroup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VLBW infants carrying ≥ 2 NOD2 genetic risk factors of inflammatory bowel disease in adults have an increased risk for severe gastrointestinal complications, such as NEC requiring surgery. Therefore, infants might benefit from NOD2 genotyping followed by supplementation with probiotics. Replication studies are needed along with genome-wide arrays to allow risk-adapted prevention and therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Lübeck, Germany; †Department of Molecular and Clinical Infectious Diseases, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; ‡Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Essen, Germany; §Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Cologne, Germany; ‖Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Bonn, Germany; ¶Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Halle, Germany; **Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany; ††Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany; ‡‡Neonatal Unit, Children's Hospital St. Hedwig, Regensburg, Germany; §§Neonatal Unit, Children's Hospital St. Hedwig, Heide, Germany; and ‖‖Neonatal Unit, Children's Hospital St. Hedwig, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Härtel
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartz
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pagel
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kribs
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gille
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Böttger
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kittel
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wieg
authors.forename: Egbert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herting
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Göpel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: C429018:NOD2 protein, human; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein