A tagging polymorphism in fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is associated with sepsis status in children
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Petr Jabandziev1,2,3, Jaroslav Alois Hubacek4,5, Jaroslav Michalek6
11Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Brno, Černopolní 212/9, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
Insights
A specific variant in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene may predict sepsis risk in children. Higher body weight appears protective against this severe condition in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Sepsis is a leading cause of death in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Genetic factors play a significant role in sepsis development.
- The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is implicated in various health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between an FTO gene variant and sepsis risk in children and adolescents.
- To explore the potential of FTO polymorphism as a biomarker for sepsis in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study comparing 598 pediatric patients (0-19 years) with severe conditions (SC) in the ICU to 616 healthy young adults.
- Genotyping of the FTO first-intron tagging polymorphism rs17817449.
Main Results:
- The TT genotype of FTO rs17817449 was less prevalent in febrile and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) patients compared to severe illness cases (p < 0.01).
- A trend indicated lower prevalence of the FTO TT genotype in controls versus the SC group (p < 0.09).
Conclusions:
- The FTO rs17817449 polymorphism may serve as a predictor of sepsis in pediatric patients.
- Higher body weight is suggested to be protective against sepsis complications in this age group.
Introduction:
Sepsis is one of the most common causes of death in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). The development of sepsis is significantly influenced by genetic predisposition. In this study, we highlight a potential association between a variant of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene and risk of sepsis in children and adolescents.
Methods:
We investigated a first-intron tagging FTO polymorphism (rs17817449) by comparing a severe condition (SC) group, comprising 598 paediatric patients (ages 0-19 years) admitted to an ICU with fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), with a control group consisting of 616 healthy young adults.
Results:
We observed a lower prevalence (p < 0.01; OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39-0.87) of the FTO TT genotype in febrile and SIRS patients compared to patients with severe illness. There was a borderline trend towards a lower prevalence of the FTO TT genotype in the control group compared to the SC group (p < 0.09, OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.62-1.06).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that rs17817449, a common FTO polymorphism, may be a predictor of sepsis in paediatric patients, and that higher body weight is protective against this clinical complication.
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