The insulin-like growth factors and growth disorders of childhood.
Specific lesions of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis have been identified in humans, each of which has distinctive auxologic and biochemical features. Measures of circulating IGF-I are useful in diagnosing growth disorders in childhood and in evaluating response to GH therapy. Recombinant human IGF-I is an effective treatment of severe primary IGF deficiency, which is typical of patients with GH receptor defects (Laron syndrome). Such treatment has been limited to a few severely affected patients. Future studies will provide new insight into IGF-I as treatment and into the nature of growth disorders that involve the IGF axis.
Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnett Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Philippe F
PF
Backeljauw
Steven D
SD
Chernausek
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046150:Laron Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013002:Somatomedins; C065700:myotrophin