Does interleukin-6 genotype influence cerebral injury or developmental progress after preterm birth?
OBJECTIVE: The severity of the proinflammatory response may determine outcome in the critically ill. Genetic variation in the promoter region of the gene encoding the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6; -174 CC genotype) may encode enhanced production of IL-6. Our objective was to determine whether the CC genotype is associated with worse early illness severity, neurologic injury, and lower developmental scores among surviving preterm children. METHODS: Genotype was determined from dried blood spots that were taken for neonatal screening tests 7 days or more after birth; outcome was independently assessed as part of a longitudinal study of children of < or =32 weeks' gestational age. RESULTS: CC genotype was associated with worse intensive care indices. Significant hemorrhagic brain injuries occurred in 5 (19%) of 27 children with CC genotype compared with 7 (6%) of 121 children with GC or GG genotype, and images consistent with white matter damage (ventriculomegaly or cystic
