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A variant of the IGF1 gene is associated with blood pressure but not with left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years. The Generation R Study.

V van Houten, The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
D Mook-Kanamori, The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
L van Osch-Gevers, Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
E Steegers, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
A Hofman, Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
H Moll, Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
C van Duijn, Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
W Helbing, Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
A Hokken-Koelega, Paediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
V Jaddoe, The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Correspondence: Vincent Jaddoe, Email: v.jaddoe{at}erasmusmc.nl

Abstract

Background and Objective

A common variant of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The objective of this study was to examine whether this variant of the IGF1 gene is associated with blood pressure and left heart dimensions in early childhood.

Research Design and Methods

This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from foetal life onwards. IGF1 promoter region was genotyped in DNA obtained from cord blood. Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) and echocardiography (left ventricular mass, left atrial diameter, aortic root diameter) measurements were performed at the age of 2 years. Analyses were performed in 538 subjects.

Results

Eight alleles of the IGF1 promoter region were identified. In total, 43% of the subjects were homozygous for the 192-bp allele (wild-type), 46% were heterozygous, and 11% were non-carriers. Significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found in non-carrier subjects (difference compared to homozygous subjects: -4.4 (95% CI -7.8 to -1.1) mm Hg and -3.5 (95% CI -6.9 to -0.1) mm, respectively). No significant differences were found for left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years. No association was found when we used a previously proposed alternative classification of the IGF1 gene.

Conclusion

The variant type of the IGF1 promoter region is associated with lower blood pressure but not with left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years. Follow-up studies are needed to examine whether these differences persist in later life.