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Inflammation at birth and the insulin-like growth factor system in very preterm infants

I Hansen-Pupp1, L Hellström-Westas, C M Cilio

  • 1Institution of Clinical Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. ingrid.pupp@skane.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Fetal inflammation in preterm infants is linked to altered Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system levels. These changes may contribute to brain damage development in neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Perinatal medicine
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Fetal inflammation increases preterm infant brain damage risk.
  • Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) is crucial for brain development and has anti-apoptotic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Assess IGF-I and IGF binding protein levels at very preterm birth.
  • Evaluate the relationship between fetal inflammation and cerebral damage.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed cord blood and neonatal blood (72h) for IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-1 (phosphorylated forms).
  • Correlated IGF levels with cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) and ultrasound-detected cerebral damage.
  • Studied 74 infants (GA 27.1 weeks), analyzing data by birth weight for gestational age.

Main Results:

  • In appropriate for gestational age infants, higher IL-6/IL-8 correlated with lower IGF-I.
  • Elevated IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were associated with higher lpIGFBP-1 and hpIGFBP-1 levels.
  • Infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (Grade III) showed higher lpIGFBP-1 and hpIGFBP-1 in cord blood.

Conclusions:

  • Pro-inflammation at birth is associated with alterations in the IGF system.
  • These IGF system changes may play a role in the development of brain damage in preterm infants.
Abstract

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