title: Diagnostic markers in combination improve the identification of growth-restricted neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of growth-restricted neonates is hampered by the lack of an appropriate diagnostic tool.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of combining diagnostic markers in detecting growth-restricted neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A set of anthropometric indices, nutritional status and placental weight were assessed in the study population soon after birth. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and its binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) were assayed in cord blood. Babies having low values (≤25th centile for gestational age) in 0, 1 or more of four anthropometric indices were classified as Group(25)0, Group(25)1 and Group(25)2, respectively. For statistical evaluation the Mann-Whitney test and a multiple regression analysis were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred-eighty (180) singleton babies of over 36 weeks of gestational age (GA) were studied. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 levels and placental weight were significantly lower in Group(25)2 than both Group(25)0 (P<0.0001) and Group(25)1 (p<0.0001 to p = 0.03). Group(25)1 and Group(25)0 did not differ significantly regarding IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels (p values 0.09 and 0.13, respectively). The combination of anthropometric indices enhanced their ability to predict IGF-I, IGFBP-3 levels and placental weight; the nutritional status of the babies added power to all individual models in predicting the three outcome variables. Analogous results were obtained when the 10th (instead of the 25th) centile for GA was used for the anthropometric indices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of simple diagnostic markers of growth restriction can define a reference test with enhanced diagnostic potential compared to the potential of the same markers in isolated use.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Neonatology, General and Maternity Hospital, Elena Venizelou, Athens, Greece. posifi@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Popi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sifianou
authors.forename: Vasso
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ktena
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karga
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I