Impact of common genetic variation on neonatal disease and outcome
- David Harding, University of Bristol, D Level, St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol BS2 8EG, UK; david.harding{at}bristol.ac.uk
- Accepted 13 February 2007
Abstract
The main aim of identifying gene–environment interactions is to provide insight into mechanisms of disease development and to identify patients with an inherent vulnerability to certain conditions. This in turn may allow patients to be targeted with individualised treatment based on the knowledge of their inborn susceptibility to specific conditions. This review describes the possible effects of common genetic variation on outcome in various conditions affecting the neonate. It focuses predominantly on studies of positive association rather than non-association to illustrate this potential influence and to highlight the potential for further study and intervention. The shortcomings of published association studies and the place of such studies in future research are also discussed.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
- Abbreviations:
- ACE
- angiotensin-converting enzyme
- CLD
- chronic lung disease
- IL
- interleukin
- IVH
- intraventricular haemorrhage
- PVL
- cystic periventricular leucomalacia
- RDS
- respiratory distress syndrome
- SNP
- single nucleotide polymorphism
- TGF
- transforming growth factor
- TNF
- tumour necrosis factor
