METHOD FOR USING SUPPLEMENTAL VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) OR ANALOG TO PREVENT OXYGEN INDUCED ARREST OF VESSEL GROWTH AND DISEASE SEQUELA OF PREMATURE INFANT BIRTH
Disclosed herein is a method for administering systemic (e.g., by intravenous injection) supplemental vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to premature infants to prevent the disease sequelae and complications including but not limited to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and/or paraventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) associated with premature births. The VEGF is administered to the premature infant to produce a physiologic serum VEGF level that is substantially similar to the VEGF level found in a normally developing fetus in the utero. By way of one example, the retinal blood vessel growth of the premature infant is monitored, and the administration of VEGF is terminated when the infant's retinal blood vessels are substantially fully grown to ROP Zone 3. By virtue of the method herein disclosed, normal vessel growth occurs, and lung disease, ROP with blindness, brain damage and other diseases associated with premature birth are substantially avoided.
