Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 are regulated differently in small-for-gestational-age and appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates.
Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured in 90 neonates during the first 5 days of life. Twenty-six small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates were compared with 64 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates. There were no differences in nutritional status between the 2 groups. Mean GH levels were significantly higher in the SGA group (53.4 +/- 30.8 vs. 39.9 +/- 23.3 microg/l; p < 0.05). In both groups GH levels correlated with birth weight (expressed as SDS) but not with gestational age. IGF-I levels were significantly lower in SGA neonates (6.6 +/- 4.0 vs. 11.7 +/- 8.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01). In SGA neonates with short stature, IGF-I levels were lower and GH levels were higher than in normal stature SGA neonates. IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in SGA neonates than in AGA neonates (0.72 +/- 0.40 vs. 0.98 +/- 0.43 microg/l; p < 0.01). IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlated with gestational age in AGA but not in SGA neonates and there was no correlation with birth weight in either group. Our data provide evidence for a graduation in the severity of impact of fetal 'malnutrition' on the somatotropic axis and on intrauterine growth. The most severe state (SGA with short stature) was associated with a GH-resistance syndrome, characterized by very low IGF-I levels and high GH levels.
Cance-Rouzaud
A
A
INSERM CJF 94-06, CHU La Grave, Toulouse, France.
Laborie
S
S
Bieth
E
E
Tricoire
J
J
Rolland
M
M
Grandjean
H
H
Rochiccioli
P
P
Tauber
M
M
D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood*; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I