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Thalhammer M, Nimpal M, Schulz J, Meedt V, Menegaux A, Schmitz-Koep B, Daamen M, Boecker H, Zimmer C, Priller J, Wolke D, Bartmann P, Hedderich D, Sorg C. Consistently lower volumes across thalamus nuclei in very premature-born adults. Neuroimage 2024; 297:120732. [PMID: 39004408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Lasting thalamus volume reduction after preterm birth is a prominent finding. However, whether thalamic nuclei volumes are affected differentially by preterm birth and whether nuclei aberrations are relevant for cognitive functioning remains unknown. Using T1-weighted MR-images of 83 adults born very preterm (≤ 32 weeks' gestation; VP) and/or with very low body weight (≤ 1,500 g; VLBW) as well as of 92 full-term born (≥ 37 weeks' gestation) controls, we compared thalamic nuclei volumes of six subregions (anterior, lateral, ventral, intralaminar, medial, and pulvinar) across groups at the age of 26 years. To characterize the functional relevance of volume aberrations, cognitive performance was assessed by full-scale intelligence quotient using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and linked to volume reductions using multiple linear regression analyses. Thalamic volumes were significantly lower across all examined nuclei in VP/VLBW adults compared to controls, suggesting an overall rather than focal impairment. Lower nuclei volumes were linked to higher intensity of neonatal treatment, indicating vulnerability to stress exposure after birth. Furthermore, we found that single results for lateral, medial, and pulvinar nuclei volumes were associated with full-scale intelligence quotient in preterm adults, albeit not surviving correction for multiple hypotheses testing. These findings provide evidence that lower thalamic volume in preterm adults is observable across all subregions rather than focused on single nuclei. Data suggest the same mechanisms of aberrant thalamus development across all nuclei after premature birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Thalhammer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany.
| | - Mehul Nimpal
- Faculty of Biology, Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
| | - Julia Schulz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronica Meedt
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
| | - Aurore Menegaux
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Benita Schmitz-Koep
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcel Daamen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Bonn, Germany; Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Henning Boecker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Clinical Functional Imaging Group, Bonn, Germany
| | - Claus Zimmer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dennis Hedderich
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Sorg
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Munich, Germany
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Pereira Camejo M, Escobar Saade L, Liverani MC, Fischi-Gomez E, Gui L, Borradori Tolsa C, Ha-Vinh Leuchter R, Hüppi PS, Siffredi V. Amygdala volumes and associations with socio-emotional competencies in preterm youth: cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Pediatr Res 2024:10.1038/s41390-024-03227-y. [PMID: 38762662 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03227-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socio-emotional difficulties often result from very preterm (VPT) birth. The amygdala's developmental trajectory, including its nuclei, has been recognized as a significant factor in observed difficulties. This study aims to assess the relationship between amygdala volume and socio-emotional competencies in VPT children and adolescents. METHODS Socio-emotional competencies were assessed, and amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, were extracted automatically from structural scans in a cross-sectional cohort of VPT (n = 75) and full-term (FT, n = 41) aged 6-14 years. Group differences in amygdala volumes were assessed using ANCOVA, and associations with socio-emotional competencies were studied using partial least squares correlation (PLSC). In a VPT subgroup, additional longitudinal data with amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age (TEA) were manually extracted, growth rates calculated, and associations with school-age socio-emotional competencies investigated using PLSC. RESULTS Using cross-sectional data at school-age, amygdala volumes displayed comparable developmental patterns between the VPT and the FT groups. Greater volumes were associated with more emotional regulation difficulties in VPT and lower affect recognition competencies in FT. In the longitudinal VPT subgroup, no significant associations were found between amygdala volume trajectory and socio-emotional competencies. CONCLUSION Although our findings suggest typical amygdala development after VPT birth, further research is necessary to elucidate the developmental trajectory of amygdala and the role of resilience factors. IMPACT In our cohort, amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, displayed comparable developmental trajectories between the very preterm and the full-term groups. Higher amygdala volumes at school-age were associated with higher emotional regulation difficulties in the very-preterm born group, and with lower affect recognition abilities in full-term born children and adolescents. In a subgroup of very-preterm children and adolescents followed from birth to school-age, no significant associations were found between amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age and socio-emotional competencies at school-age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricé Pereira Camejo
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luciana Escobar Saade
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Chiara Liverani
- SensoriMotor, Affective and Social Development Laboratory, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elda Fischi-Gomez
- Centre for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), SP CHUV-EPFL Section, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Signal processing laboratory 5, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Gui
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Borradori Tolsa
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Russia Ha-Vinh Leuchter
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Petra Susan Hüppi
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Siffredi
- Division of Development and Growth, Department of Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Neuro-X Institute, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Kaseva N, Kuula J, Sandboge S, Hauta-Alus H, Björkqvist J, Hovi P, Eriksson JG, Vihervaara T, Pietiläinen KH, Kajantie E. Cardiometabolic health in adults born with very low birth weight-a sibling study. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:316-324. [PMID: 37758863 PMCID: PMC10798885 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm survivors have increased risk for impaired cardiometabolic health. We assessed glucose regulation and cardiometabolic biomarkers in adult very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) survivors, using siblings as controls. METHODS VLBW-participants were matched with term-born, same-sex siblings. At mean age 29.2 years (SD 3.9), 74 VLBW-adults and 70 siblings underwent a 2-h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and blood tests for assessment of cardiometabolic biomarkers. RESULTS Of participants, 23 (31%) VLBW and 11 (16%) sibling-controls met World Health Organization criteria for impaired glucose regulation (OR adjusted for age and sex 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 5.8). Adjusting for age and sex, VLBW-participants showed 9.2% higher 2-h glucose (95% CI: 0.4% to 18.8%) than their siblings. Also, fasting (13.4%, -0.3% to 29.0%) and 2-h free fatty acids (15.6%, -2.4% to 36.9%) were higher in VLBW-participants. These differences were statistically significant only after further adjusting for confounders. No statistically significant differences were found regarding other measured biomarkers, including insulin resistance, atherogenic lipid profiles or liver tests. CONCLUSIONS VLBW-adults showed more impaired fatty acid metabolism and glucose regulation. Differences in cardiometabolic biomarkers were smaller than in previous non-sibling studies. This may partly be explained by shared familial, genetic, or environmental factors. IMPACT At young adult age, odds for impaired glucose regulation were 3.4-fold in those born at very low birth weight, compared to same-sex term-born siblings. Taking into consideration possible unmeasured, shared familial confounders, we compared cardiometabolic markers in adults born preterm at very low birth weight with term-born siblings. Prematurity increased risk for impaired glucose regulation, unrelated to current participant characteristics, including body mass index. In contrast to previous studies, differences in insulin resistance were not apparent, suggesting that insulin resistance may partially be explained by factors shared between siblings. Also, common cardiometabolic biomarkers were similar within sibling pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kaseva
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Juho Kuula
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Radiology, HUS Medical Imaging Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samuel Sandboge
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Psychology/Welfare Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Helena Hauta-Alus
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism (CAMM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Petteri Hovi
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johan G Eriksson
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Human Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Kirsi H Pietiläinen
- Obesity Research Unit, Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Obesity Center, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Kajantie
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Walhovd KB, Lövden M, Fjell AM. Timing of lifespan influences on brain and cognition. Trends Cogn Sci 2023; 27:901-915. [PMID: 37563042 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Modifiable risk and protective factors for boosting brain and cognitive development and preventing neurodegeneration and cognitive decline are embraced in neuroimaging studies. We call for sobriety regarding the timing and quantity of such influences on brain and cognition. Individual differences in the level of brain and cognition, many of which present already at birth and early in development, appear stable, larger, and more pervasive than differences in change across the lifespan. Incorporating early-life factors, including genetics, and investigating both level and change will reduce the risk of ascribing undue importance and causality to proximate factors in adulthood and older age. This has implications for both mechanistic understanding and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine B Walhovd
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Computational Radiology and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Martin Lövden
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders M Fjell
- Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Computational Radiology and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Merritt K, Luque Laguna P, Sethi A, Drakesmith M, Ashley SA, Bloomfield M, Fonville L, Perry G, Lancaster T, Dimitriadis SI, Zammit S, Evans CJ, Lewis G, Kempton MJ, Linden DEJ, Reichenberg A, Jones DK, David AS. The impact of cumulative obstetric complications and childhood trauma on brain volume in young people with psychotic experiences. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3688-3697. [PMID: 37903876 PMCID: PMC10730393 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02295-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Psychotic experiences (PEs) occur in 5-10% of the general population and are associated with exposure to childhood trauma and obstetric complications. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. Using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), we studied 138 young people aged 20 with PEs (n = 49 suspected, n = 53 definite, n = 36 psychotic disorder) and 275 controls. Voxel-based morphometry assessed whether MRI measures of grey matter volume were associated with (i) PEs, (ii) cumulative childhood psychological trauma (weighted summary score of 6 trauma types), (iii) cumulative pre/peri-natal risk factors for psychosis (weighted summary score of 16 risk factors), and (iv) the interaction between PEs and cumulative trauma or pre/peri-natal risk. PEs were associated with smaller left posterior cingulate (pFWE < 0.001, Z = 4.19) and thalamus volumes (pFWE = 0.006, Z = 3.91). Cumulative pre/perinatal risk was associated with smaller left subgenual cingulate volume (pFWE < 0.001, Z = 4.54). A significant interaction between PEs and cumulative pre/perinatal risk found larger striatum (pFWE = 0.04, Z = 3.89) and smaller right insula volume extending into the supramarginal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus (pFWE = 0.002, Z = 4.79), specifically in those with definite PEs and psychotic disorder. Cumulative childhood trauma was associated with larger left dorsal striatum (pFWE = 0.002, Z = 3.65), right prefrontal cortex (pFWE < 0.001, Z = 4.63) and smaller left insula volume in all participants (pFWE = 0.03, Z = 3.60), and there was no interaction with PEs group. In summary, pre/peri-natal risk factors and childhood psychological trauma impact similar brain pathways, namely smaller insula and larger striatum volumes. The effect of pre/perinatal risk was greatest in those with more severe PEs, whereas effects of trauma were seen in all participants. In conclusion, environmental risk factors affect brain networks implicated in schizophrenia, which may increase an individual's propensity to develop later psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Merritt
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Pedro Luque Laguna
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Arjun Sethi
- Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences, IOPPN, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Drakesmith
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sarah A Ashley
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Bloomfield
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Gavin Perry
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Tom Lancaster
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Department of Psychology, Bath University, Bath, UK
| | - Stavros I Dimitriadis
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 171, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stanley Zammit
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Bristol Medical School (PHS), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C John Evans
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Glyn Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Kempton
- Psychosis Studies Department, IOPPN, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David E J Linden
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Derek K Jones
- The Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Division of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
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Association of the FCN2 Gene Promoter Region Polymorphisms with Very Low Birthweight in Preterm Neonates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315336. [PMID: 36499663 PMCID: PMC9740280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) localised to the promoter region of the FCN2 gene are known to influence the concentration of ficolin-2 in human serum and therefore potentially have clinical associations. We investigated the relationships between SNPs at positions −986 (A > G), −602 (G > A), −64 (A > C) and −4 (A > G) and clinical complications in 501 preterms. Major alleles at positions −986 and −64 and A/A homozygosity for both polymorphisms were less frequent among babies with very low birthweight (VLBW, ≤1500 g) compared with the reference group (OR = 0.24, p = 0.0029; and OR = 0.49, p = 0.024, respectively for A/A genotypes). A lower frequency of G/G homozygosity at position −4 was associated with gestational age <33 weeks and VLBW (OR = 0.38, p = 0.047; and OR = 0.07, p = 0.0034, respectively). The AGAG haplotype was protective for VLBW (OR = 0.6, p = 0.0369), whilst the GGCA haplotype had the opposite effect (OR = 2.95, p = 0.0249). The latter association was independent of gestational age. The AGAG/GGAA diplotype favoured both shorter gestational age and VLBW (OR = 1.82, p = 0.0234 and OR = 1.95, p = 0.0434, respectively). In contrast, AGAG homozygosity was protective for lower body mass (OR = 0.09, p = 0.0155). Our data demonstrate that some FCN2 variants associated with relatively low ficolin-2 increase the risk of VLBW and suggest that ficolin-2 is an important factor for fetal development/intrauterine growth.
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