Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major problem among preterm survivors of neonatal intensive care. Neovascularization of the retina is prominent in the proliferative stages of ROP and is under the control of factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The authors investigated the association of ROP with VEGF genetic polymorphisms and clinical (maternal, perinatal, neonatal) risk factors among preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.The frequencies of VEGF 634 C/G and VEGF 936 C/T polymorphisms were determined in DNA from 102 preterm infants by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique.The frequency of the VEGF 634 CG genotype was significantly higher, whereas the frequency of the VEGF 634 CC genotype was significantly lower among neonates with ROP. The frequencies of the VEGF 634 GG, VEGF 936 CC, and VEGF 936 CT genotypes were similar in both groups. The distribution of VEGF 634 G allele was significantly different between the two groups. By logistic regression analysis, low birth weight, presence of maternal disease, respiratory distress syndrome, hypotension, and VEGF 634 CG genotype remained significant risk factors for the development of ROP.The results support the hypothesis that the carrier state of VEGF 634 C/G polymorphism has an impact on the risk of ROP in infants. A broader study may suggest that this marker could be used as an indicator in the screening for ROP.