Decreased beta-cell function in women with previous small for gestational age infants

Insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide responses to intravenous glucose (glucose infusion test, GIT) and insulin sensitivity were measured in women who previously and for unexplained reasons gave birth to small-for-gestational-age infants (SGA, n = 10) or appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (AGA, n = 11). Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by two different methods, somatostatin-, insulin- and glucose infusion test (SIGIT) and Bergman's minimal model method applied to the frequently samples intravenous glucose tolerance test. The two groups were comparable with regard to age, parity and body mass index. The SGA group exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) lower early (0-10 min) and late (10-60 min) insulin, C-peptide and proinsulin responses during GIT than were seen in the control AGA group. Insulin sensitivity evaluated by the two techniques was increased in the SGA group, significantly so only with the minimal model method. The insulin sensitivity index (Si) according to Bergman was 10.98 +/- 2.10 in the SGA as compared to 4.36 +/- 1.18 x 10(-4)min-1 x uU-1 in the AGA group (antilogged values +/- 95% confidence intervals). Early insulin response (GIT) and Si values were inversely correlated (r = -0.48, p < 0.05).