The effect of Apo E gene polymorphism on neuro-cognitive functions in children with congenital heart disease

Research conducted on children with CHD displays that these children?s neurological development is different than the normal population and focuses on the reasons of this difference. Currently, the factor that attains the highest emphasis is the Apo E genotype of the patients. We aimed at revealing the influence of Apo E gene on the neurological development process of children with CHD. Our goal is, predicting the nurological development of children with CHD according to Apo E gene expression, and anchoring the children requiring support, at an earlier stage. We investigated 188 children patients with CHD, in GUTF pediatric cardiology dept, between 2009-2013. We documented the socio-demographic parameters.. After policlinical examinations followed by psychometric tests, we examined Apo E genotype on blood samples of the children. Psychometric tests of the patients showed that: Cyanotik patients? motor functions were worse then acyanotic patients (p<0,05). Patients with VSD got higher points from the WISCR total IQ, compared to the patients who do not have VSD. The other psychometric tests on the children did not display any further difference. 78.7%of the patients who were involved in our research classify as E3/E3. However, the distribution of patients being different according to genotypes lead to no possible statistical comparison among these groups, in terms of psychometric test results. Sociocultural and economic status of parents was positively associated with psychometric test results (p<0,05). Relevant literature claim that children with CHD display worse neurocognitive functioning compared to normal population, and having Apo E2 allel is a risk factor for it. Apo E4 allel is more related to better psychometric test results. However, our results display no influence of ApoE gene on the neurocognitive functioning.