TY - JOUR AU - fahmey, sameh samir AU - Naguib, Hassan AU - Abdelshafy, sanna AU - Alashry, rasha PY - 2013/06/05 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN CHILDREN WITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR PDF JF - Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases JA - Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis VL - 5 IS - 1 SE - Original Articles DO - 10.4084/mjhid.2013.044 UR - https://www.mjhid.org/mjhid/article/view/2013.044 SP - e2013044 AB - <p><strong>Background: </strong>The ?-Thalassemia syndromes are the most common hereditary chronic hemolytic anemia due to impaired globin chain synthesis.  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays several roles in angiogenesis which is a crucial process in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory, autoimmune and malignant diseases .Endothelial damage and inflammation make a significant contribution to the pathophysiology of ?-thalassemia.</p> <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The aim of the study was to assess serum VEGF level in children with beta-thalassemia major as a marker of angiogenesis.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Blood samples were collected from 40 patients with thalassemia major and 10 healthy controls and assayed for VEGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong><strong> </strong>VEGF level was significantly higher in patients with ?-Thalassemia major than healthy controls (p=0.001).In addition, VEGF level was higher in splenectomised thalassemic patients than non splenectomised ones (p=0.001) .However, there were a positive correlation between VEGF and chelation starting age (p=0.008) and a negative correlation between VEGF and frequency of blood transfusion (p=0.002).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> thalassemia patients, especially splenectomized, have elevated serum levels of VEGF. Early chelation and regular blood transfusion help to decrease serum VEGF and the risk of angiogenesis.</p> <p> </p> ER -