Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: glucocorticoid receptor-9β polymorphism (rs6198) is associated with the susceptibility for cardiovascular disease. AIM: to examine whether the GR-9 β variant is also associated with blood pressure and heart growth in early childhood. STUDY DESIGN: this study was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards. Analyses were based on 857 children. OUTCOME MEASURES: Left cardiac structures (aortic root diameter, left atrial diameter and left ventricular mass), shortening fraction and heart beat were measured postnatally at the ages of 1.5, 6 and 24 months. Blood pressure was measured at 24 months of age. RESULTS: the distribution of the GR-9β genotype showed 75.1% homozygous reference, 23.5% heterozygous and 1.4% homozygous variant subjects. No differences in cardiovascular outcomes were observed at the ages of 1.5 and 6 months. At the age of 24 months, homozygous variants showed an increased systolic blood pressure of 2.65 mmHg (95% CI: 0.16, 5.14), an increased heart rate of 9.10 beats per minute (95% CI: 1.28, 16.7) and an increased left ventricular mass of 4.99 g (95% CI: 1.33, 8.65) compared to homozygous references. This means an increase of 2.6%, 8.6% and 16%, respectively. GR-9 β polymorphism was significantly associated with left ventricular mass growth during the first 2 years. CONCLUSION: our findings suggest that genetically determined differences in cortisol exposure affect cardiovascular development in early life.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.11.006

Type

Journal article

Journal

Early Hum Dev

Publication Date

02/2011

Volume

87

Pages

97 - 102

Keywords

Adult, Blood Pressure, Child, Preschool, Cohort Studies, Family Characteristics, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Heart, Heart Ventricles, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Myocardium, Polymorphism, Genetic, Receptors, Glucocorticoid, Young Adult