Angiotensin-converting enzyme DD genotype is associated with worse perinatal cardiorespiratory adaptation in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) deletion (D) variant is associated with greater ACE activity and perhaps with deleterious cardiorespiratory pathophysiological responses. We determined whether the early health status of the preterm infant was adversely influenced by homozygosity for the D allele (DD genotype) compared with ID or II genotype. Study design Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype was determined in a cohort of 148 preterm infants born in Bristol, United Kingdom (median gestational age, 31 weeks; range, 28-32). Intensive care data were prospectively obtained. Primary analysis was by Mann-Whitney U and chi(2) tests. RESULTS: Higher oxygen, circulatory support requirements, and base deficit in the first 12 hours after birth were found in infants with DD genotype (minimum inspired oxygen concentration in first 12 hours, median [interquartile range], DD 0.26 [0.21-0.40], ID/II 0.21 [0.21-0.30], P=.028; blood pressure support in first 12 hours, DD 12 [30%], ID/II 15 [14%], P=.039; worse base deficit in first 12 hours, DD 4.8 [7.7 to 0], ID/II 0 [5.3 to 0], P=.020). CONCLUSIONS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism has a role in the development of preterm cardiorespiratory disease. The DD genotype, encoding higher angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, may adversely influence the early health status of preterm infants.