Association between neonatal resuscitation and a single nucleotide polymorphism rs1835740

The aim of this work was to test whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) implicated in glutamate homoeostasis or signalling and cellular survival are associated with birth condition.

This study is drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. A total of 7611 term infants were genotyped and patient outcome data retrieved from routine medical records. Exposure measures were the presence of one or more minor alleles in one of 3 SNPs (rs2284411, rs2498804, rs1835740). The primary outcome was the need for resuscitation at birth.

For SNP rs1835740, infants homozygous for the minor allele compared to wild type were more likely to need resuscitation (9.2% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.041), while the odds ratio for resuscitation was associated with each increasing minor allele [OR 1.17 (1.01-1.35)]. Population attributable risk fraction was 6.5%. There was no evidence that the other two SNPs investigated were associated with birth condition.

We have tested three candidate SNPs to measure any association with birth condition. The study revealed that the rs1835740 was associated with the need for resuscitation and Apgar scores, with a substantial population impact.