Serotonin transporter gene variation in sudden infant death syndrome.
Opdal, Siri Hauge 1,2; Vege, Ashild 1; Rognum, Torleiv Ole 1
[Article] Acta Paediatrica. 97(7):861-865, July 2008.

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Aim: To investigate polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene in cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and controls, and further to elucidate a possible relationship between 5-HTT genotypes and external risk factors for SIDS.

Method: The subjects investigated consist of 163 SIDS cases and 243 controls. Polymorphisms in both the promoter and intron 2 of the 5-HTT gene were investigated, and the genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis.

Results: In the promoter, there was a tendency for the L allele and L/L genotype to be found more often in the SIDS cases than in the controls (p = 0.05 and p = 0.07, respectively). Regarding the intron 2 polymorphism, there were no differences between the groups, and the SIDS cases were not found to have a higher frequency of either the L/L-12/12 genotype or the L-12 haplotype than the controls. When investigating possible correlations between genotype and risk factors for SIDS, there was a tendency towards different distribution of the promoter genotypes in cases found dead prone compared to cases found dead in other sleeping positions (p = 0.06).

Conclusion: Polymorphisms in the promoter of the 5-HTT gene may be of importance with regard to SIDS.

(C) 2008 Foundation Acta Paediatrica