To Evaluate the Expression of Egr2 Gene in Term Low BirthWeight Newborns

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of expression of EGR2 Gene in Term LBW Newborns To study the various risk factor for LBW Newborns Early identification of pregnant women at risk for low-birth-weight newborn is essential to offer them adequate follow up and treatment if required. A strong association was found between expression of EGR2 gene and low birth weight.  Low Birth Weight-  The birth weight of an infant is the first weight recorded after birth, ideally measured within the first hours after birth, before significant postnatal weight loss has occurred. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g (up to and including 2499 g), as per the World Health Organization (WHO) . Low birth weight is further categorized into very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, <1000 g) . Low birth weight is a result of preterm birth (PTB, short gestation <37 completed weeks), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, also known as fetal growth restriction), or both. The term low birth weight refers to an absolute weight of <2500 g regardless of gestational age. It is estimated that 15–20% of all births, or >20 million newborns annually, are low birth weight infants.  INCLUSION CRITERIA: CASES: Term low birth weight babies whether from normal delivery or from cesarean section with sample size 30, CONTROLS: term normal birth weight babies whether from normal delivery or from cesarean section with sample size 30 EXCLUSION CRITERIA The following category patients will be excluded from thesis study- Non pregnant females All preterm birth and post term births Women delivering babies to large for gestational age The expression of Egr 1, 2 and 3 were analyzed at different stages of T and B cell development by RT-PCT and results showed that the expression was strictly regulated at different stages. Forced expression of Egr-2 in CD2+ lymphocytes resulted in a severe reduction of CD4+CD8+ (DP) cells in thymus and pro-B cells in bone marrow, which was associated with reduced expression of Notch1 in ISP thymocytes and Pax5 in pro-B cells, suggesting that retraction of Egr-2 at the ISP and pro-B cell stages is important for the activation of lineage differentiation programs.