Can Functional Polymorphisms in VEGF and MMP Predict Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Preterm Newborns?

Background: The pathophysiology of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is multifactorial. This study attempts to identify genetic and clinical factors contributing to IVH in newborns with a focus on those born <= 28 weeks of gestation. Methods: This was a prospective study of 382 consecutive newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. DNA purification was conducted using standard methods. Taq-Man SNP assays were conducted for functional polymorphisms in VEGF (RS699947, RS2010963, RS3025039, and RS1570360) and MMP2 (RS243685 and RS2285053) genes. An RFLP assay was done for a polymorphism in MMP9 (RS3918242). Results: The GG genotype in VEGF RS1570360 (p = 0.013) and the CC genotype in VEGF RS699947 (p = 0.036) were associated with a lower incidence of IVH amongst newborns <= 28 weeks of gestation. Chorioamnionitis, Caucasian race, and patent ductus arteriosus were associated with a higher incidence of IVH. A binary logistic regression analysis of clinical and SNP data that was significant from bivariate analysis demonstrated that VEGF RS1570360 was significantly associated with IVH ( p = 0.017). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the GA/AA genotype in VEGF RS1570360 and the AA/AC genotype in VEGF RS699947 were associated with higher incidence rates of IVH in newborns = 28 weeks of gestation. A future study is warranted to comprehensively examine VEGF polymorphisms in association with IVH. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel