A Genome-Wide Association Study for Neonatal Diseases

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Genome-Wide Association Study on Chinese Preterm Neonates and Identification of Functional Variants for Susceptibility to Necrotising Enterocolitis

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04074824
• Other study ID #: 2017.493
• Status: Recruiting
• Start date: September 1, 2018
• Est. completion date: October 31, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: September 2023
• Source: Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Contact: Kathy Chan, Ph. D.
• Phone: 852 3505 2858
• Email: kathyyychan[@]cuhk.edu.hk
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

This is an observational study to identify genetic risks for neonatal diseases, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) and enterotype investigation. We hypothesize that specific genetic factors and microbiome could predispose preterm neonates for the development of NEC.

Description:

NEC is the most frequently encountered surgical emergencies and a life-threatening disease that predominantly affects preterm neonates. The incidence is estimated to be 7-10% in ver low birth weight (VLBW) neonates (Lin and Stoll, 2006; Neu and Walker, 2011). However, a significant proportion of affected neonates (20-30%) develops severe progressive disease with intestinal necrosis and complications resulting in gut perforation and peritonitis which require urgent surgical intervention (surgical cases) (Sharma et al., 2006). The mortality rate of surgical cases is high (25-50%), and may increase to 100% in patients with pan-necrosis of the bowel. Those neonates who survived often suffer severe morbidity, including short bowel syndrome, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis, poor physical growth and neurodevelopmental impairment (Neu and Walker, 2011; Salhab et al., 2004). However, the etiology and pathophysiology of NEC remain incompletely understood. The current knowledge has directed towards multiple predisposing factors which include prematurity, immature gut mucosa and host defense immunity, formula milk feeding and altered microbial colonization in the gut resulting in excessive inflammatory response, leading to irreversible intestinal cell death and gut necrosis (Neu and Walker, 2011; Chan et al., 2013). To date, no genetic risk markers or biomarkers are available for reliable prediction of neonates who are at high risk of developing NEC. Besides host genetic factors, gut bacteria have been reported to predispose neonates to disease risk (Mai et. al., 2011; Neu and Pammi, 2018).

In this study, we shall conduct a GWAS on Chinese preterm neonates for identification of genetic risks for NEC and determine gut microbiome structure (enterotype) of NEC.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 310
• Est. completion date: October 31, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: October 31, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Chinese infants admitted in the neonatal unit (NNU)

Exclusion Criteria:

Refuse consent for study

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Enterocolitis
• Enterocolitis, Necrotizing
• Infant, Newborn, Diseases
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis
• Neonatal Disease

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Hong Kong	Prince of Wales Hospital	Hong Kong

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Hong Kong, 

References & Publications (7)

Chan KY, Leung KT, Tam YH, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Lee KH, To KF, Li K, Ng PC. Genome-wide expression profiles of necrotizing enterocolitis versus spontaneous intestinal perforation in human intestinal tissues: dysregulation of functional pathways. Ann Surg. 2014 Dec;260(6):1128-37. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000000374. — View Citation

Lin PW, Stoll BJ. Necrotising enterocolitis. Lancet. 2006 Oct 7;368(9543):1271-83. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69525-1. — View Citation

Mai V, Young CM, Ukhanova M, Wang X, Sun Y, Casella G, Theriaque D, Li N, Sharma R, Hudak M, Neu J. Fecal microbiota in premature infants prior to necrotizing enterocolitis. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020647. Epub 2011 Jun 6. — View Citation

Neu J, Pammi M. Necrotizing enterocolitis: The intestinal microbiome, metabolome and inflammatory mediators. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Dec;23(6):400-405. doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2018.08.001. Epub 2018 Aug 17. — View Citation

Neu J, Walker WA. Necrotizing enterocolitis. N Engl J Med. 2011 Jan 20;364(3):255-64. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1005408. No abstract available. — View Citation

Salhab WA, Perlman JM, Silver L, Sue Broyles R. Necrotizing enterocolitis and neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely low birth weight infants <1000 g. J Perinatol. 2004 Sep;24(9):534-40. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211165. — View Citation

Sharma R, Hudak ML, Tepas JJ 3rd, Wludyka PS, Marvin WJ, Bradshaw JA, Pieper P. Impact of gestational age on the clinical presentation and surgical outcome of necrotizing enterocolitis. J Perinatol. 2006 Jun;26(6):342-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211510. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	NEC	Neonatal Disease	First year