Association of the FCN2 Gene Promoter Region Polymorphisms with Very Low Birthweight in Preterm Neonates

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) localised to the promoter region of the FCN2 gene are known to influence the concentration of ficolin-2 in human serum and therefore potentially have clinical associations. We investigated the relationships between SNPs at positions -986 (A > G), -602 (G > A), -64 (A > C) and -4 (A > G) and clinical complications in 501 preterms. Major alleles at positions -986 and -64 and A/A homozygosity for both polymorphisms were less frequent among babies with very low birthweight (VLBW, <= 1500 g) compared with the reference group (OR = 0.24, p = 0.0029; and OR = 0.49, p = 0.024, respectively for A/A genotypes). A lower frequency of G/G homozygosity at position -4 was associated with gestational age <33 weeks and VLBW (OR = 0.38, p = 0.047; and OR = 0.07, p = 0.0034, respectively). The AGAG haplotype was protective for VLBW (OR = 0.6, p = 0.0369), whilst the GGCA haplotype had the opposite effect (OR = 2.95, p = 0.0249). The latter association was independent of gestational age. The AGAG/GGAA diplotype favoured both shorter gestational age and VLBW (OR = 1.82, p = 0.0234 and OR = 1.95, p = 0.0434, respectively). In contrast, AGAG homozygosity was protective for lower body mass (OR = 0.09, p = 0.0155). Our data demonstrate that some FCN2 variants associated with relatively low ficolin-2 increase the risk of VLBW and suggest that ficolin-2 is an important factor for fetal development/intrauterine growth.

Automated summary

This study explored the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the FCN2 gene and clinical complications in preterm babies. The results showed that certain SNPs were associated with very low birthweight (VLBW) and gestational age, suggesting that ficolin-2 is an important factor in fetal development and intrauterine growth.