Associations of the IGF/IGFBP axis and respiratory diseases in neonatal patients during the first 6 months of life.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse IGFs in respect to somatic growth and neonatal diseases during the first 6 months of life.


METHODS
IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP-1, -2, -3) were determined by immunoassays in neonatal patients after birth (n = 67) and at 3 (3 mo; n = 75) and 6 months (6 mo; n = 47) of corrected postnatal age. Data on growth were tested for associations to the gestational age, birth weight (bw) SDS (/-2 SDS), neonatal morbidity and therapeutic strategies.


RESULTS
All IGFs and IGFBPs changed significantly between birth and 3 mo of corrected age (p < 0.05). Perinatal respiratory diseases influenced IGF-II at 3 mo, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia IGF-II at 3 and 6 mo (all p < 0.05). IGF-I differed between the subgroups bw /-2 SDS (p < 0.05). At 3 mo, IGFBP-1 was significantly increased in infants with glucocorticoid administration during the first four weeks of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The first months of life are characterised by a pole reversal of the somatotropic axis: IGFBP-1 and -2 decrease and IGFBP-3 increases. Respiratory diseases with an origin in the neonatal period, glucocorticoid therapy and low birth weight have an impact on the IGF pattern up to 6 mo. Prospective studies are necessary to investigate, whether the described link between the IGF/IGFBP axis and respiratory morbidity in neonatal patients has an impact on development in later infancy.
Hübler
Axel
A
Department of Pediatrics, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Germany. Axel.Huebler@med.uni-jena.de
Schlenvoigt
Dorothea
D
Dost
Axel
A
Schramm
Dirk
D
Scheidt
Burkhart
B
Kauf
Eberhard
E
D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000032:analysis*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000097:blood*
D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II