title: Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in newborns with meconium stained amniotic fluid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) on cord blood vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels have not been explored. The aim of this study was to verify whether MSAF influences cord blood VEGF levels in healthy term neonates and we can use cord blood VEGF levels in infants with MSAF as an indicator of fetal distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay double sandwich method, plasma VEGF levels were determined in 18 healthy term neonates with MSAF and in 16 healthy term neonates without MSAF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF plasma levels were not significantly different between healthy term neonates with or without MSAF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrauterine meconium passage could not affect VEGF levels on cord blood in term newborn infants and VEGF level may not be used as an indicator of fetal distress in infants with MSAF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. ozlemt@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Teksam
authors.forename: Gulsevin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tekinalp
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yurdakok
authors.forename: Sule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yigit
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.forename: Dicle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guc
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A