title: Vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses and neonates.
abstract: The angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) are respectively up- and downregulated by hypoxia. We aimed to study circulating levels of the above factors in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and to correlate their levels with the customized centiles of the infants. The study included 25 IUGR and 25 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) full-term, singleton infants and their mothers. Maternal (MS), fetal (UC), and neonatal day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4) blood was examined. MS and N1 PlGF, as well as UC VEGF levels correlated with the customized centiles of the infants (r= 0.39, P=.007, r=0.34, P=.01, and r= -0.41, P=.004, resp). Furthermore, UC, N1, and N4 VEGF levels were higher in girls (r=0.36, P=.01, r=0.33, P=.02, and r=0.41, P=.005 resp). In conclusion, positive and negative correlations of examined factors with the customized centiles of the infant could rely on placental function and intrauterine oxygen concentrations-both being usually lower in IUGR cases-while higher VEGF levels in girls should possibly be attributed to the stimulating action of estrogens.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Greece. malamitsi@aias.gr
authors.forename: Ariadne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malamitsi-Puchner
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boutsikou
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.forename: Angeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarandakou
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makrakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hassiakos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor