Growth factors, adiponectin, leptin and body mass index in pre-pubertal children born large for gestational age.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the IGF axis in pre-pubertal children born large for gestational age (LGA) differs from that of those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).


METHODS
The study population consisted of 98 non-obese children aged 5.5-8 yr, of whom 37 were LGA, with birth weight (BW) > 90th percentile, and 61 AGA. The LGA children were subdivided into two subgroups, with BW 90th-97th percentile (no.=24) and BW > 97th percentile (no.=13), respectively. Total and free IGF-I, their binding proteins 1 and 3 (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3), leptin, adiponectin, fasting glucose (GF) and insulin (IF) were measured, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR index) was determined.


RESULTS
IGF-I, free IGF-I and IGFBP-1 were similar in both groups. Both LGA subgroups had lower IGFBP-3 levels than the AGA group (2.34 ± 0.61 and 2.70 ± 0.90, respectively, vs 3.92 ± 1.1 μg/ml, p < 0.01). Adiponectin was higher in the 90th-97th percentile LGA subgroup than the AGA group (p<0.01). GF and IF were higher in the LGA group (86.5 ± 5.6 mg/dl, p < 0.01, and 5.84 ± 2.13 μU/ml, respectively, p < 0.05) than in the AGA group (82.6 ± 7.7 mg/dl and 4.62 ± 1.9 μU/ml, respectively), as was the HOMA-IR index (1.27 ± 0.60 vs 0.94 ± 0.43, p < 0.01). These three parameters were also found higher in the >97th percentile LGA subgroup.


CONCLUSIONS
The IGF axis was not different in pre-pubertal children born LGA or AGA, with the exception of IGFBP-3, which was lower in the LGA children. In LGA pre-pubertal children the severity of intrauterine overgrowth was associated with the insulin resistance indices.
Challa
A S
AS
Pediatric Research Laboratory, Child Health Department, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Evagelidou
E N
EN
Giapros
V I
VI
Cholevas
V I
VI
Andronikou
S K
SK
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011627:Puberty
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I