Association of citrulline concentration at birth with lower respiratory tract infection in infancy: Findings from a multi-site birth cohort study

AUTHORS

Snyder BM , Gebretsadik T , Turi KN , McKennan C , Havstad S , Jackson DJ , Ober C , Lynch S , McCauley K , Seroogy CM , Zoratti EM , Khurana Hershey GK , Berdnikovs S , Cunningham G , Summar ML , Gern JE , Hartert TV , , . Frontiers in pediatrics. 2022 10 17; 10(). 979777

PMID: 36324820 [PubMed].

ABSTRACT

Assessing the association of the newborn metabolic state with severity of subsequent respiratory tract infection may provide important insights on infection pathogenesis. In this multi-site birth cohort study, we identified newborn metabolites associated with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in the first year of life in a discovery cohort and assessed for replication in two independent cohorts. Increased citrulline concentration was associated with decreased odds of LRTI (discovery cohort: aOR 0.83 [95% CI 0.70-0.99], = 0.04; replication cohorts: aOR 0.58 [95% CI 0.28-1.22], = 0.15). While our findings require further replication and investigation of mechanisms of action, they identify a novel target for LRTI prevention and treatment.

Tags: alumni publications 2022