title: Serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor in relation to retinopathy of prematurity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been clearly established. However, little is known about temporal changes in circulating VEGF concentrations in the preterm infant. The objective was to determine the longitudinal serum concentrations of VEGF in relation to ROP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 52 infants born at <31 wk gestational age (non-ROP n = 33, nonproliferative ROP n = 10, treated for ROP n = 9). VEGF concentrations were analyzed in blood samples collected at birth, at 3 d postnatal age, and then weekly until at least a gestational age of 35 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF concentrations at birth did not differ between groups, independent of later ROP status. In contrast, VEGF serum concentrations were significantly higher at first detection of ROP in infants who were later treated for ROP compared to infants without ROP. At the time of laser therapy, serum VEGF concentrations did not differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulatory concentrations of VEGF, in infants who later developed severe ROP, were elevated at the time when ROP first was detected but not at the time when current treatment most often occurred. This supports the need for further studies of circulating VEGF in relation to the timing of ROP treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.|Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunnel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hellgren
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Chatarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Löfqvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hård
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hansen-Pupp
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gram
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University and Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ley
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Lois E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hellström
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000097:blood; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A