Genetic risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The aim of the study was to assess the association between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and polymorphisms of genes coding for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-[beta]1), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). A sample of 181 newborns with mean gestational age of 28 wk was prospectively evaluated. Molecular analysis of TGF-[beta]1 -800G>A, -509C>T, 10T>C, 25G>C, VEGF -460T>C and 405G>C and MTHFR 677C>T polymorphisms were performed and the number of CA repeats in the promoter region of IGF-1 gene was assessed. The frequency of all TGF-[beta]1, IGF-1, and MTHFR polymorphisms, as well as the frequency of VEGF 405G>C polymorphism was similar in all groups. The newborns with -460TT and -460CT genotypes were significantly overrepresented in the BPD groups compared with the no BPD group. Multivariate analysis revealed that carrying T allele increased the risk of BPD by 9% (95%CI: 2-14%) above the baseline risk established for given gestational age, length of oxygen therapy, and sex. Based on our data from a single center, we propose that VEGF -460T>C polymorphism may influence the risk of BPD.