High Inuit infant mortality rate may be related to fat-burning gene variation – CBC

Nov 12, 2016

When babies with gene variant get sick and are unable to eat, they’re at risk of getting much sicker

New data shows a genetic variation that puts sick infants at risk is more common in the Inuit population than originally thought.

The gene, called CPT1A Arctic Variant, is found only in Inuit populations and has been found across the circumpolar world — including Canada, Alaska, Siberia and Greenland.

People with the Arctic variant are unable to produce an enzyme that helps turn fat into energy. That means their bodies are not able to switch into fat-burning mode when blood sugar levels get low.

High Inuit infant mortality rate may be related to fat-burning gene variation – CBC

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More