Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing retinopathy in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of an agonist of VEGFR-1 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1). Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating or preventing disorders associated with blood vessel loss, such as diabetic neuropathy, in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of an agonist of VEGFR-1. Preferred agonists of VEGFR-1 or analogs thereof are selected from the group consisting of PIGF-1 (placental growth factor-1), PIGF-2, VEGF-A, and VEGF-B. In one embodiment of the present invention, an agonist of VEGFR-1 is administered to prevent ROP in an individual in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the agonist is PIGF-1 or an analog thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining the risk of developing a complication of preterm birth in a patient born before 40 weeks of gestation or weighing 10% less than the average for the patient's gestational age. The method involves measuring serum IGF-I and/or IGF-I binding protein levels after birth of the patient to obtain an IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level; and correlating said IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level with an in utero baseline level of IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein based on gestational age matched mean levels in utero, wherein an IGF-I or IGF-I binding protein level below the mean gestational age in utero level indicates the patient is at an increased risk of developing a complication of preterm birth. The complications of preterm birth include retinopathy of prematurity, developmental delay, mental retardation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular hemorrhage.