Table 2 Correlation of constant parameters with the VEGF concentration in tracheal aspirates of 57 infants

Gestational age (postmenstrual age in weeks, mean ± standard deviation)

27.5 ± 4.2

0.9230

Birth weight (g, mean ± standard deviation)

1128 ± 839

0.6718

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n)

34 (60%)

0.3076

Asphyxia (n)

7 (12%)

0.4642

Intraventricular hemorrhage (all grades)

16 (28%)

0.2607

Cerebral hemorrhage (intraventricular, cerebellar, n)

17 (30%)

0.2782

Respiratory distress syndrome (n)

50 (88%)

0.7636

Maximal grade of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

0.4284

No RDS (n)

7 (12%)

Grade 1 (n)

6 (11%)

Grade 2 (n)

18 (32%)

Grade 3 (n)

20 (35%)

Grade 4 (n)

6 (11%)

Survival (n)

49 (86%)

0.8802

Antenatal corticosteroids for lung development (complete, n)

32 (56%)

0.9443

Maternal infection (n)

23 (40%)

0.4403

Premature rupture of the membranes (n)

8 (14%)

0.2180

Small for gestational age (n)

15 (26%)

0.4428

Number of days with infection (median, range)

11 (0–80)

0.7470

Retinopathy of prematurity (n)

34 (60%)

0.9268

Maximal grade of Retinopathy of prematurity (RPM)

0.6947

No RPM

23 (40%)

Stage 1 (n)

4 (7%)

Stage 2 (n)

16 (28%)

Stage 3 (n)

14 (25%)

Stage 4 (n)

0

Stage 5 (n)

0