Comparison of IGF-1 Serum and Nutritional Status in Pediatric Ventricular Septal Defect: A Case-Control Study

Background/Objectives: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease in children and is often associated with growth impairment and malnutrition. Increased metabolic demand, feeding difficulties, and recurrent infections contribute to poor nutritional status. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a key mediator of growth hormone activity, reflects nutritional and metabolic conditions. Previous studies have evaluated endocrine and growth abnormalities in heterogeneous congenital heart disease populations. However, data specifically examining the relationship between serum IGF-1 levels and nutritional status in isolated pediatric ventricular septal defect remain limited, particularly in Southeast Asian populations. Methods: The single centre observational case-control study was conducted at Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, involving 110 children (55 VSD patients and 55 healthy controls). VSD diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography. Nutritional status was assessed using WHO anthropometric criteria. Serum IGF-1 levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analyses compared IGF-1 levels between groups and across nutritional categories. Results: Moderate and severe wasting were more common in the VSD group. Median IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in VSD patients compared to controls (5.18 vs. 21.4 ng/mL; p < 0.001). A positive association between IGF-1 levels and nutritional status was observed. Conclusions: Children with VSD have poorer nutritional status and significantly lower IGF-1 levels compared to healthy controls. This association may be explained by the dysregulation of the growth hormone-IGF-1 axis. IGF-1 may complement nutritional assessment for identifying and monitoring growth impairment and guiding early nutritional interventions in pediatric VSD.