Association of IL-6 -174G > C Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Childhood Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis evaluates the correlation between the IL-6 -174 G > C polymorphism and susceptibility of childhood sepsis. We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, CNKI, SID, SciELO databases until December 30, 2019 to identify all eligible studies. A total of 17 studies with 1,287 cases and 2,482 controls were identified. Pooled data revealed that there was no significant association between the IL-6 -174 G > C polymorphism and risk childhood sepsis in the overall population. When stratified analysis was carried out by age group of cases, no associations were found in neonates and pediatrics. However, in ethnicity-based subgroups, a significant association was found in Caucasians and Africans. There was no significant association of the IL-6 -174G > C polymorphism with susceptibility to sepsis in childhood overall, but there was an association with the Caucasian and African ethnic subgroups.