Increased vascular permeability is the main aetiology for hypovolaemic shock and circulatory failure in dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). Aim: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of DHF. Methods: Serum samples from 41 patients [15 dengue fever (DF), 26 DHF] with serologically confirmed dengue virus infection during the febrile, toxic, convalescent stages and at follow-up were analysed for VEGF. Plasma samples from an additional 27 children (16 DF and 11 DHF) during the febrile, toxic stages and at 4-week follow-up and from eight healthy controls were analysed for VEGF. Results: Serum and plasma VEGF levels were not elevated during the febrile or toxic stages of dengue virus infection and did not differ between patients with DF and DHF. Conclusion: Plasma leakage in patients with DHF cannot be explained by elevation of VEGF during the toxic stage of the illness