Association of miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism with necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a prevalent and challenging intestinal disease in premature infants, lacking a specific pathogen consistently associated with its occurrence. Effectively preventing and treating NEC to reduce mortality rates remains a significant contemporary challenge. The present study aimed to explore the correlation between microRNA-149 gene polymorphism and NEC in premature infants in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: The expression levels of serum miR-149 were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Polymorphism detection of the miR-149 gene rs2292832 polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the association between the rs2292832 polymorphism and risk factors for NEC in preterm infants.

Results: General clinical data were compared between 102 preterm infants diagnosed with NEC and 263 preterm infants without NEC. Significant differences were observed in gestational age and birth weight. However, no significant differences were found in antenatal steroid use, sex, or feeding patterns between the two groups. The expression level of serum miR-149 was significantly reduced in premature infants with NEC, and there were differences in the allele frequency of the miR-149 rs2292832 polymorphism between the NEC group and control group. Specifically, the T allele and TT genotype of rs2292832 were associated with an increased susceptibility to NEC. Furthermore, both gestational age and the rs2292832 polymorphism showed a significant association with NEC risk, with the rs2292832 polymorphism of miR-149 being identified as the most prominent risk factor for NEC development in preterm infants.

Conclusions: The rs2292832 gene polymorphism of miR-149 may potentially exert an influence on susceptibility to NEC.