HOME >> MEDICINE >> NEWS
Breastfeeding overcomes a genetic tendency toward ear infections, scientists discover

GALVESTON, Texas Breast-feeding protects children otherwise made susceptible to ear infections by abnormalities in specific human genes, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered.

About 19 percent of children are prone to chronic and recurrent ear infections (known to physicians as "otitis media"). These infections can interfere with language development and lead to learning difficulties. Scientists have long known that genetics plays a role in this vulnerability, but very few investigations have been done to pinpoint the specific genes involved. Their complex relationship with specific infectious agents and environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke and breast-feeding also has remained largely a mystery.

The UTMB study, published in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics, examined genetic samples taken from 505 children in Texas and Kentucky, about 60 percent of whom were classified as "otitis media susceptible" because they had suffered an ear infection before the age of 6 months; had undergone three or more episodes of acute otitis media within a six-month period; had four or more episodes within a 12-month period; or had six or more episodes by age 6. Children who had required drainage tubes to assuage recurrent or persistent ear infections were also placed in the "susceptible" category.

"We know that the tendency to get this infection runs in families, and so we decided to look for small variations what we call single-nucleotide polymorphisms,' or SNPs in three important genes that produce inflammatory signaling molecules for the immune system," said lead author Janak A. Patel, a professor in the infectious disease division of UTMB's Department of Pediatrics. "Two of them stood out on their own as signals of increased risk."

The two identified genes generate the immune proteins known as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). SNPs in
'"/>

Contact: Jim Kelly
jpkelly@utmb.edu
409-772-8791
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
8-Dec-2006


Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. Breastfeeding duration rates for infants born in an inner-city WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly hospital
2. Breastfeeding and good fats help new moms fight depression
3. Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer for women who delay childbirth
4. Breastfeeding may protect against gluten intolerance (coeliac disease)
5. Breastfeeding as good for childrens blood pressure as exercise and salt restriction
6. Desensitization protocol overcomes allergy to clopidogrel
7. Immune system lab model overcomes ethical limits on human hematopoietic stem cells studies
8. Star Trek-type scanning may reveal genetic activity of tumors, Stanford study shows
9. Study shows that indigenous people are not genetically prone to diabetes
10. Study links breast cancer risk to epigenetic changes related to race, smoking and birth size
11. New treatment possibilities for fatal genetic disease

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/19/2013)... 19, 2013 Farming methods have changed ... the ground 10,000 years ago. Most recently, the Green ... by using genetically engineered seeds and by applying chemical ... backlash to these techniques due to the adverse environmental ... a corresponding surge in interest in organic, sustainable farming ...
(Date:5/19/2013)... Agora Health Limited developed by Rachael Linkie is a new ... increase memory power naturally and effectively. The program also ... their entire health from the inside out. It also helps ... mind. In addition, the program helps people keep their memory ... claimed that this program can help people overcome a family ...
(Date:5/19/2013)... May 19, 2013 The AMTC team will ... the Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center on June 1st. ... attend. AMTC auditions are free of charge. , Actors, Models ... for hundreds of successful artists and grads like Caitlin Kinney ... European Tombolini , Chris Young - on his Liquid Neon ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... Bradley, Illinois (PRWEB) May 18, 2013 ... community in the St. Louis Metro East area, is hosting ... p.m. on Friday, May 24. , The community, which is ... older adults of all incomes, including those on Medicaid, who ... for a delicious BBQ luncheon topped off by homemade ice ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation is pleased ... honorees are outstanding young gastroenterologists working toward independent ... with this award, their research time will be ... future of our field. AGA is committed to ... for promising research developments and new therapies," said ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Green Acre Aquaponics Introduces a Revolutionary Approach to Farm Education and Commercial Aquaponics 2Health News:Green Acre Aquaponics Introduces a Revolutionary Approach to Farm Education and Commercial Aquaponics 3Health News:How To Increase Memory Power | How “Agora Health Limited” Helps People Improve Their Memory Naturally And Effectively – Health Review 2Health News:Actors, Models and Talent for Christ Hosting Auditions in Columbus, GA June 1st in Search of Local Talent 2Health News:Metro East Affordable Assisted Living Community to Host Memorial Day Weekend Barbecue 2Health News:AGA Research Foundation Research Scholar Awards advance the work of promising gastroenterologists 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... 2013  ConvaTec today announced that it will report its 2013 first ... , CEO, and Ed Borkowski , CFO, will host ... To participate in the conference call within the U.S. ... participate in the conference call outside the U.S. and Canada ... 72195398. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the ...
(Date:5/17/2013)...  PENTAX Medical, a healthcare industry leader in ... in ultrasound imaging, recently announced renewed collaborative efforts ... innovation in the development of Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems ... PENTAX Medical endoscopic portfolio have formed one of ... This agreement will continue to grow their long-standing ...
(Date:5/17/2013)...  Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX ) ... Program May 21-24 in Paris . ... rich and diversified set of data this year at ... global chief medical officer, Boston Scientific.  "The primary endpoint ... NG PROMUS trial, which evaluated our Promus PREMIER ™ ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:PENTAX Medical And Hitachi-Aloka Medical Continue Joint Innovation And Global Leadership In Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems 2PENTAX Medical And Hitachi-Aloka Medical Continue Joint Innovation And Global Leadership In Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems 3Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 2Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 3Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 4Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 5Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 6Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 7Boston Scientific Schedule of Major Events and Presentations at EuroPCR 2013 8
Cached News: