Related Experiment Videos
Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 are regulated
A Cance-Rouzaud1, S Laborie, E Bieth
1INSERM CJF 94-06, CHU La Grave, Toulouse, France.
Insights
Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates show higher growth hormone (GH) and lower insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels. Severe SGA cases exhibit GH resistance, impacting intrauterine growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal endocrinology
- Pediatric growth disorders
- Fetal development
Background:
- The somatotropic axis regulates intrauterine growth.
- Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates may experience impaired growth due to fetal factors.
- Understanding hormonal profiles in SGA neonates is crucial for assessing growth potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in neonates.
- To compare these hormone levels between SGA and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates.
- To explore the relationship between these hormones and intrauterine growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- Measured GH, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 in 90 neonates within the first 5 days of life.
- Compared 26 SGA neonates with 64 AGA neonates.
- Analyzed correlations between hormone levels, birth weight (SDS), and gestational age.
Main Results:
- SGA neonates had significantly higher GH (p < 0.05) and lower IGF-I (p < 0.01) and IGFBP-3 (p < 0.01) levels compared to AGA neonates.
- GH levels correlated with birth weight (SDS) in both groups.
- SGA neonates with short stature displayed the lowest IGF-I and highest GH levels, suggesting GH resistance.
Conclusions:
- Fetal 'malnutrition' severity correlates with the impact on the somatotropic axis and intrauterine growth.
- SGA neonates demonstrate altered GH, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 profiles.
- Severe SGA cases present with a GH-resistance syndrome, impacting growth and development.
Abstract:
Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured in 90 neonates during the first 5 days of life. Twenty-six small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates were compared with 64 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) neonates. There were no differences in nutritional status between the 2 groups. Mean GH levels were significantly higher in the SGA group (53.4 +/- 30.8 vs. 39.9 +/- 23.3 microg/l; p < 0.05). In both groups GH levels correlated with birth weight (expressed as SDS) but not with gestational age. IGF-I levels were significantly lower in SGA neonates (6.6 +/- 4.0 vs. 11.7 +/- 8.2 ng/ml; p < 0.01). In SGA neonates with short stature, IGF-I levels were lower and GH levels were higher than in normal stature SGA neonates. IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in SGA neonates than in AGA neonates (0.72 +/- 0.40 vs. 0.98 +/- 0.43 microg/l; p < 0.01). IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlated with gestational age in AGA but not in SGA neonates and there was no correlation with birth weight in either group. Our data provide evidence for a graduation in the severity of impact of fetal 'malnutrition' on the somatotropic axis and on intrauterine growth. The most severe state (SGA with short stature) was associated with a GH-resistance syndrome, characterized by very low IGF-I levels and high GH levels.