Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and respiratory infections in infants

Background. Respiratory infections are very common in children. Currently, various studies are being conducted to determine additional markers of high incidence of respiratory infections in children. Polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) are associated with the risk of developing various diseases, including infectious diseases. Aim. To assess the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and the incidence of respiratory infections in infants. Materials and methods. During the study, we assessed the number of respiratory infection episodes in the first 6 months of a child’s life, determined the FokI (rs2228570) and TaqI (rs731236) polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene. Results. The results of the study showed that the presence of minor TT alleles of the FokI gene is associated with a higher frequency of respiratory infections in children in the first 6 months of life. The risk of developing 4 or more episodes of respiratory infections in the first 6 months of life was 4.8 times higher in children who had this genotype (95% CI 2.19–10.5). Conclusion. The presence of minor TT alleles of the FokI gene is associated with a high frequency (more than 4 episodes) of respiratory infections in children in the first 6 months of life.