Growth hormone, somatomedin C, and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels compared in premature, small, average birth weight, and large infants.
We have investigated the relationship between growth hormone, somatomedin C, nonsuppressible insulin-like activity, weight, gestational age, and 1-minute Apgar score in newborn infants. The 153 infants were categorized as small for gestational age (n = 19), average for gestational age (n = 59), large for gestational age (n = 60), and premature (gestational age at birth, 36 weeks or less (n = 15). Our study showed that (1) growth hormone levels were elevated in premature infants and correlated with Apgar scores and birth weights; (2) somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels were significantly lower in premature than in term infants; and (3) the birth weight of all infants studied had a significant overall effect on both somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity levels, suggesting that these factors may be involved in fetal growth. However, because in small for gestational age infants somatomedin C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity were similar to levels in average for gestational age infants, it is suggested that other factors may inhibit fetal growth.
Section of Endocrinology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston 77030.
N A
NA
Samaan
P N
PN
Schultz
D A
DA
Johnston
R W
RW
Creasy
B
B
Gonik
D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000097:blood*; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000097:blood* / Q000032:analysis*
D013006:Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013002:Somatomedins