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Respiratory symptoms among infants at risk for asthma: association with surfactant protein A haplotypes

Melinda M Pettigrew1, Janneane F Gent, Yong Zhu

  • 1Yale Center for Perinatal, Pediatric and Environmental Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. melinda.pettigrew@yale.edu

BMC Medical Genetics
|April 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Certain genetic variations in surfactant protein A (SFTPA) genes are linked to an increased risk of wheezing and persistent cough in infants predisposed to asthma. Further research is needed in diverse populations.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Pulmonology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in surfactant protein A (SFTPA) genes.
  • Examined the association between SFTPA SNPs and infant respiratory symptoms.
  • Focused on infants at high risk for developing asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if SFTPA gene variations are associated with wheeze and persistent cough in the first year of life.
  • To analyze the risk of respiratory symptoms in infants with specific SFTPA haplotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Cohort study including mothers with asthmatic older children.
  • Data collected via questionnaires and quarterly telephone interviews up to 12 months of age.
  • Analysis restricted to 221 white infants; logistic regression used for SFTPA haplotype association.

Main Results:

  • The SFTPA1 6A allele haplotype was linked to higher risks of persistent cough (OR 3.69) and wheeze (OR 4.72).
  • The SFTPA 6A/1A haplotype showed increased risks for persistent cough (OR 3.20) and wheeze (OR 3.25).
  • These associations were observed in white infants at risk for asthma.

Conclusions:

  • SFTPA gene polymorphisms may contribute to wheeze and persistent cough in at-risk white infants.
  • The findings suggest a potential genetic link to early-life respiratory issues.
  • Replication in diverse ethnic and racial groups is recommended.
Abstract

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