Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

AIM: To evaluate the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism with risk/severity of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) among at risk infants.

METHODS

Infants ≥ 34 weeks with respiratory distress at birth were recruited. PPHN was diagnosed clinically and by cardiac echocardiogram. Control group consisted of infants with respiratory distress who did not develop PPHN. ACE genotyping (DD, II, DI genotypes) and serum ACE levels were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 120 infants were included (PPHN = 44; control = 76). Frequency of ACE DD genotype was not different between the two groups of infants (25% versus 33%). Among PPHN infants, severity of illness did not differ between genotypes. Mean (SD) serum ACE levels [15 (9) versus 24 (13) versus 29 (14) U/L] were positively associated with the number of D alleles and inversely associated with infants' gestational age (GA) and level of cardiovascular support.

CONCLUSION

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism did not impact the risk or severity of PPHN among infants ≥ 34 weeks GA.