Genetic variation of vascular endothelial growth factor pathway does not correlate with the severity of retinopathy of prematurity

J Perinatol. 2011 Apr;31(4):246-50. doi: 10.1038/jp.2010.111. Epub 2010 Aug 12.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the genetic effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study design: A prospective study from a tertiary center that enrolled 204 Japanese infants (<35 weeks of gestational age (GA)) having no anomalies. ROP developed in 127, but not in 77 infants. The relative severity was defined as non-severe, moderate and severe ROP for GA, based on the staging criteria. VEGF (g.-634G>C, g.+13553C>T) and VEGF-receptor (KDR g.+4422(AC)11 to 14, Flt-1 c.+6724(TG)13 to 23) gene polymorphisms and clinical variables were assessed by uni/multivariate analyses.

Result: The frequency of polymorphisms did not differ between ROP and non-ROP patients. The TT genotype of g.+13553 showed a higher odds ratio for non-severe ROP than CC genotype (P=0.006). Multivariate analyses indicated that low birth weight, blood transfusion and respiratory distress syndrome, but not polymorphisms, were the risk factors of advanced ROP (≥ stage 3).

Conclusion: A genotype of the VEGF pathway weakly affects the severity of ROP compared with other clinical factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Premature Birth / physiopathology
  • Premature Birth / therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / complications*
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / complications
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / genetics
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity* / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1*

Substances

  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1