Association of Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor Polymorphisms with Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) protects the intestines from injury in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the HB-EGF gene lead to low HB-EGF production in peripheral blood and increased risk of NEC in the Chinese Han population. To test this hypothesis, thirty NEC patients and eighty control subjects were selected. Five HB-EGF single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and its plasma levels were measured by genotyping and ELISA, respectively. Only one out of the five SNPs showed a notable result. The notable SNP (rs4912711) was associated with NEC in its minor allele frequency (MAF) and its 'G/T' genotype distribution. Additionally, plasma HB-EGF levels were reduced especially the 'G/T' genotype in NEC patients. Our data suggest that if validated in larger studies screening for HB-EGF SNPs/genotypes and plasma levels might be useful as a risk factor for NEC in the future. (C) 2017 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology,

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