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Measuring growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in infants: what is normal?

Colin Patrick Hawkes1, Adda Grimberg1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|March 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are crucial for infant growth. Understanding normal GH/IGF-I axis physiology in infants under 18 months is essential for interpreting growth patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth Hormone Physiology
  • Neonatal Development

Background:

  • Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) play vital roles in fetal and infant development.
  • Isolated GH deficiency in infancy may present with hypoglycemia, despite normal birth measurements.
  • The GH/IGF-I axis undergoes significant changes during early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the normal physiology of the GH/IGF-I axis in infants.
  • To provide context for interpreting GH and IGF-I measurements in this age group.
  • To highlight variations in assay-specific measurements and their limitations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on GH and IGF-I secretion in children under 18 months.
  • Analysis of normal physiological patterns of GH and IGF-I.
  • Examination of assay methodologies and their impact on results.

Main Results:

  • GH and IGF-I roles evolve significantly from fetal to postnatal life.
  • Hypoglycemia can be an early sign of GH deficiency in infants.
  • Assay variations necessitate careful interpretation of GH and IGF-I levels.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding infant GH/IGF-I axis physiology is critical for accurate diagnosis.
  • Interpreting GH and IGF-I measurements requires consideration of assay limitations.
  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on normal GH/IGF-I secretion in early infancy.

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