Linear growth and circulating insulin-like growth factor I in children with tufting enteropathy receiving long-term...

We analyzed the growth of 12 children with tufting enteropathy for 2 years receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). At diagnosis, the length standard deviation score (SDS) (-2.15 ± 1.8) and body mass index (BMI) (12.6 ± 3.9) were significantly decreased. The height SDS and BMI of patients increased significantly (-1.39 ± 1.5 and 16.2 ± 1.9, respectively) after TPN. Partial catch-up growth was achieved in 7 of 12 children during the 2-year period, whereas linear growth velocity was maintained in an additional 3 patients. Insulin-like growth factor I levels correlated significantly with albumin and hemoglobin concentrations (P < 0.001), and increments in insulin-like growth factor I concentration after TPN were correlated with the changes in the BMI and height SDS (P < 001).