Good growth despite very low levels of insulin-like growth factors.
A 12.5-year-old girl presented with short stature. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-I) and insulin- like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3) were below the 0.1 percentile. Growth hormone provocation tests disclosed normal responses to L-arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. A huge benign mesenteric cyst was discovered by abdominal ultrasound and completely removed. Subsequently, the girl showed a marked catch-up growth; however, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 remained below the 0.1 percentile.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations imply that growth may take place even with very low levels of insulin-like growth factors. The interpretation of low IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in short children still requires good clinical judgement and basic knowledge of their biological action.
Department of Paediatrics, Giessen, Germany.
J
J
Dötsch
T
T
Siebler
W F
WF
Blum
W
W
Rascher
W
W
Kiess
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008639:Mesenteric Cyst / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I