Surfactant Protein A and Ear Infections in Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Melinda M Pettigrew, Janneane F Gent, Yong Zhu, Elizabeth W Triche, Kathleen D Belanger, Theodore R Holford, Michael B Bracken, Brian P Leaderer
Primary Institution: Yale University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Are polymorphisms in surfactant protein A associated with the risk of otitis media in infants at risk for asthma?
Conclusion
Polymorphisms within SP-A loci may be associated with otitis media in white infants.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found that 73% of infants experienced otitis media during their first year.
- Polymorphisms at codons 19, 62, and 133 in SP-A1 were associated with race/ethnicity.
- The 6A4/1A5 haplotype was protective for otitis media among white infants.
Takeaway
This study found that certain genetic variations in a protein important for lung health might help protect some babies from ear infections.
Methodology
The study used a candidate gene approach and logistic regression to analyze the association between SP-A polymorphisms and otitis media episodes in infants.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the reliance on maternal reports for diagnosing otitis media.
Limitations
The cohort was not specifically recruited to study otitis media, and maternal reports may have introduced recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Infants at risk for asthma, primarily white, with a mix of genders and ethnicities.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.07, 0.73
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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