This lends support to the finding that VEGF decreases in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) until 3 days from birth in premature newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, whereas it increases greatly (2.2-fold) in BALF of 1-week-old preterm newborns who had BPD compared to the levels observed at 3 days of life. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.