![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Anemia is a common disorder , particularly in early inafancy. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is produced as a result of prolonged tissue hypoxia and may be a promising marker for tissue hypoxia and the severity of anaemia . It’s also present in high concentrations in human milk. It binds to specific cell surface receptors found on the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells. The present study was designed estimate the level of vasclar endothelial growth factor in the serum of anaemic infants and the breast milk of their mothers, and correlate its level with the severity of anaemia . The study is a case control study that was conducted on 50 infants who were attending pediatric hematology clinic at minia university . Infants were anaemic and breastfed. Studied infants were subdivided into 2 groups group A Included 34 infant with chronic anemia who are are breastfed and group B Included non-anemic 112 breastfeeding infant as a control group. The Hb concentration & Hct mean amomg study group were 10.4 g/dl and 30.2% while in control group were 13 g/dl & 39.5 , there was a significant difference between VEGF level between both groups P0.001 , as mean VEGF was 111.9 in group A &18.1 in group B . Using a VEGF level of >140 pg/ml as a marker of tissue hypoxia in chronic anemic infants showed that 73% of infants whose Hb concentration below 9 g /dl have VEGF > 140 The study also demonstrated a significant negative correlation between Hb & Hct values and serum VEGF amnog anemic infants . Regarding the results of VEGF levels in breast milk , our study showed that VEGF level ranged from 20- 41 ng/ml , morever; there was no significant difference in VEGF level in breast milk of both study and control groups . In study group A VEGF level range from 20-38ng/ml and mean level was 27.7 while in control group VEGF level range 21-40 ng/ml with mean about 26.7. |