Genetic susceptibility to neonatal infection

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review current data on genetic factors contributing to the striking susceptibility of neonates to infectious diseases and other adverse outcomes. Recent findings: Although few studies address genetic determinants of neonatal infectious disease susceptibility, several variants in genes involved in the innate immune response have been associated with differential risk for neonatal infection. The most consistent results relate to polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor-α, whereas other gene polymorphisms, such as those of interleukin-6, have yielded conflicting findings. Similar genetic factors may be involved in other inflammatory neonatal diseases. Recent data suggest th..