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GH-IGF axis during catch up growth in small for gestational age (SGA) infants
H García1, C Henriquez, F Ugarte
1Instituto de Investigaciones Materno Infantil, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile.
Insights
Infants small for gestational age (SGA) who experienced catch-up growth (CUG) showed higher serum Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II) levels at three months. Other hormone levels did not differ between groups during the first year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns often exhibit altered growth patterns.
- Understanding hormonal influences on catch-up growth (CUG) in SGA infants is crucial for early intervention.
- Longitudinal hormonal profiling provides insights into growth trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hormonal profiles of SGA newborns during their first year of life.
- To compare hormonal differences between SGA infants who achieved catch-up growth (CUG) and those who did not.
- To identify potential biomarkers for predicting catch-up growth in SGA infants.
Main Methods:
- Studied 47 SGA term newborns over their first year.
- Measured serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, IGF Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and urinary growth hormone (u-GH).
- Defined catch-up growth (CUG) as an increase in length z-score > 1 SD between birth and 6 months.
Main Results:
- 57.4% of SGA infants achieved catch-up growth (CUG).
- SGA infants with CUG demonstrated significantly higher serum IGF-II levels at 3 months compared to non-CUG infants.
- No significant differences were observed in serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3, or u-GH levels between CUG(+) and CUG(-) groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum IGF-II at 3 months may be associated with catch-up growth in SGA infants.
- IGF-II warrants further investigation as a potential predictor of catch-up growth in this population.
- Hormonal profiles, excluding IGF-II, did not differentiate between SGA infants with and without catch-up growth in the first year.
Abstract:
The hormonal profile in 47 small for gestational age (SGA) term newborns during their first year of life was studied. The newborns had a mean birth weight of 2290 +/- 230 g and a length of 45.5 +/- 2.0 cm, and they were followed up every month. Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, and urinary growth hormone (u-GH) concentrations were measured at 3 days of age and every 3 months during one year. Serum IGFBP-3 levels were measured at 3 and 6 months of age. Catch up growth (CUG) was defined as an increase in length z score greater than 1 SD between birth and 6 months of age. According to this definition, 27 infants (57.4%) experienced CUG. We compared the hormonal profile of the infants who demonstrated evidence of CUG [CUG(+)] with those who did not [CUG(-)]. Serum IGF-II levels were significantly higher in CUG(+) infants compared to CUG(-) infants at 3 months of age. We did not find any differences in serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and urinary GH between CUG(+) and CUG(-) infants at any time during the study.