Clinical Report: Evaluating the Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D in Assessing Severity of Pediatric COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Overview

This study investigates the role of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) as a biomarker for assessing the severity of COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Findings indicate that VEGF-D levels are significantly elevated in affected children compared to healthy controls.

Background

The emergence of COVID-19 and its associated complications, particularly MIS-C, has raised concerns regarding effective biomarkers for disease severity in pediatric populations. VEGF-D has been identified as a potential indicator of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which are critical in the pathophysiology of severe COVID-19 and MIS-C.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• VEGF-D levels were significantly higher in children with COVID-19 and MIS-C compared to healthy controls.
• The highest VEGF-D levels were observed in patients with MIS-C and severe COVID-19.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that VEGF-D is independently associated with severe COVID-19 and MIS-C.
• Clinically relevant cut-off values for VEGF-D were established: 387.87 pg/mL for severe COVID-19 and 461.96 pg/mL for differentiating MIS-C from acute COVID-19.
• Increased VEGF-D levels correlated with more severe hypoxia and higher acute-phase markers in COVID-19 patients.
• Principal component analysis suggested that VEGF-D contributes to an integrated inflammatory-endothelial profile in both conditions.

Clinical Implications

VEGF-D could serve as a biomarker for assessing disease severity in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and MIS-C.

Conclusion

VEGF-D is identified as an independent marker associated with disease severity in pediatric COVID-19 and MIS-C.

Related Resources & Content

1. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2023 -- Incidence trends, outcomes, and factors associated with mortality in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: A nationwide study in Thailand during 2021-2023
2. Pediatric Cardiology, 2025 -- Distinguishing Kawasaki Disease from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Pediatric Patients Through Blood Composite Scores: Implications for Clinical Outcomes and Predictive Measures
3. Infection, 2023 -- Assessment of TRAIL, IP-10, and CRP Levels in Pediatric Patients with Suspected COVID-19 and the Influence of a Computational Signature on Clinical Decision-Making: A Prospective Cohort Investigation
4. Clinical Rheumatology, 2022 -- Differentiating Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children from Kawasaki Disease: A Scoring System Developed from an Inception Cohort Analysis
5. Clinical Overview of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children | MIS | CDC, 2025
6. Six-Month Outcomes in Children With COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children | Hospital Pediatrics, 2026
7. Frontiers, 2026 -- Diagnostic Performance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D in Severity Stratification of Pediatric COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)
8. Clinical Overview of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children | MIS | CDC
9. Six-Month Outcomes in Children With COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children | Hospital Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
10. Frontiers | Diagnostic Performance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D in Severity Stratification of Pediatric COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)