Role of the of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism in preterm neonates with respiratory distress sendrome,

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), despite advances in neonatal intensive care of premature infants is still an important cause of mortality and is morbidite.Degree of prematurity and immature lungs are the main cause of this syndrome. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between the endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) gene polymorphism and the cause of RDS.One hundred and fifty two premature infant with RDS and 125 premature healthy infant included to this study. Blood samples were taken from the voluntary control and patient groups. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (eNOS) gene Glu298Asp (G894T) polymorphism was studied from the samples with polymerase chain reaction method ( PCR) at University of Gaziantep Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology.Healthy premature infants and premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome groups did not differ significantly in terms of eNOS gene polymorphisms. In comprasion of allele frequencies between the sexes in patient group; glu allele in girls and Asp allele in males was statistically significantly higher. Male sex was reported as a risk factor on the development of respiratory distress syndrome. Lung maturation is delayed a week in males so the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome is higher in males. According to these findings the asp allele found in males was suggested to cause delay in lung maturation.Keywords: Respiratory distress syndrome, Prematurity, eNOS gene polimorphism.