GENETICS OF GROWTH FAILURE IN PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. We hypothesize that the "pre-patterned" course of growth failure in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is determined by genetic factors. Genes interacting with growth and appetite regulation, immune responses, and stress responses, as well as the short-stature genes are functional candidates for IBD-related growth failure. Our specific aim is to explore the association of phenotypic characteristics related to linear growth with variations at candidate genetic loci, in order to elucidate the genetic basis for growth failure in children with IBD. Elucidating the genetic basis for growth failure in IBD might provide novel therapeutic approaches, or help define why reponse to available nutritional treatment or medication is heterogeneous. Early intervention approachses might also be possible, and more informed genetic counseling might ultimately be available to guide affected kindred in therapeutic decisions. This study is a collaboration of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the Children's Hospital and the MIT Center for Genome Research. This descriptive study will also serve as a pilot for a planned IBD Genetics Research Consortium study.