Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses and neonates.
BACKGROUND
Angiogenesis, a critical process for growth and development is altered in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR-1, soluble (s) VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 represent a regulatory system, essential for both physiological and pathological angiogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To study the implication of sVEGFR-1-a VEGF antagonist-in IUGR.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Twenty-five IUGR and 15 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) full-term fetuses and neonates with their mothers were included in the study.


METHODS
sVEGFR-1 levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay in the serum of: mothers (MS), umbilical cords (UC)-representing fetal state - and neonates on day 1 (N1) and 4 (N4) of life.


RESULTS
MS, UC, N1 and N4 sVEGFR-1 levels in IUGR were significantly higher compared to respective AGA cases (p = 0.005, p = 0.026, p = 0.005 and p = 0.017, respectively). In IUGR and AGA groups, maternal sVEGFR-1 levels were significantly higher than fetal and neonatal levels (p in all cases < 0.001). The latter presented in both IUGR and AGA groups a significant decrease from UC to N4 (p in all cases < 0.01). MS, N1 and N4 sVEGFR-1 levels negatively correlated with the infants' customized centiles [(r = -0.489, p = 0.001), (r = -0.440, p = 0.004), (r = -0.431, p = 0.006), respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
Higher sVEGFR-1 levels in the IUGR as compared to the AGA group possibly reflect the predominance of antiangiogenic mechanisms present in IUGR. The decrease of sVEGFR-1 levels from UC to N4 may represent ex utero initiation of growth and development and therefore, prevalence of angiogenic mechanisms.
Boutsikou
Theodora
T
Neonatal Division, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens 19, Soultani Str GR-10682, Athens, Greece.
Malamitsi-Puchner
Ariadne
A
Economou
Emmanuel
E
Boutsikou
Maria
M
Puchner
Karl-Philipp
KP
Hassiakos
Dimitrios
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1