胰岛素样生长因子1及胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3与胎儿宫内生长发育的关系

目的　通过测定新生儿脐血中胰岛素样生长因子 1(IGF 1)和胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白 3(IGF BP 3)水平 ,研究其与出生体质量、身长及胎盘质量等生长参数间的关系 ,探讨影响胎儿宫内生长发育的内分泌因素。方法　将新生儿根据出生体质量与胎龄的关系分为适于胎龄儿 (AGA)组与小于胎龄儿 (SGA)组 ,分别测定两组出生时身长、体质量和胎盘质量 ,同时取新生儿脐血用免疫放射法测定IGF 1和IGFBP 3含量。结果　1) 10 5例新生儿中 79例AGA和 2 6例SGA ,其出生时身长、体质量和胎盘质量 3个参数比较均存在显著差异(P <0 .0 0 1) ,AGA组显著高于SGA组 (P <0 .0 0 1) ;2 )两组脐血IGF 1和IGFBP 3比较 ,AGA组IGF 1和IGF BP 3水平均高于SGA组 (P <0 .0 1和P <0 .0 0 1) ;3)出生时身长、体质量和胎盘重质 3个生长参数均与IGF 1和IGFBP 3呈显著正相关 (P均 <0 .0 0 1)。结论　 1.出生时身长、体质量和胎盘质量可用来评价AGA和SGA的生长发育。 2 .AGA脐血中IGF 1和IGFBP 3明显高于SGA。 3.胎儿自身分泌IGF 1和IGFBP 3与上述生长参数密切相关 ,其对胎儿的生长发育起重要调节作用。IGF 1和IGFBP 3可作为胎儿宫内生长发育的指标     

脐血瘦素、胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ与胎儿生长发育

目的 揭示脐血瘦素及胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)与胎儿生长发育的关系,探讨其在胎儿生长发育方面的相互作用及临床意义.方法 采用放射免疫法测定86例新生儿脐血瘦素、IGF-Ⅰ水平,根据胎龄及出生体重百分位数的关系分为:小于胎龄儿(SGA)组16例、适于胎龄儿(AGA)组41例及大于胎龄儿(LGA)组29例.同时测量新生儿的出生体重、身长、头围、足长、胎盘重量并计算体质指数(BMI).结果 ①脐血瘦素水平SGA组与AGA组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);脐血IGF-Ⅰ水平AGA与LGA组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).②脐血瘦素及IGF-Ⅰ水平分别与新生儿出生体重、身长、头围、足长、BMI及胎盘重量呈显著正相关(P<0.01),脐血瘦素与IGF-Ⅰ水平亦呈显著正相关(P<0.01).③脐血瘦素水平与新生儿性别及分娩方式间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);脐血IGF-Ⅰ水平与新生儿性别差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),与新生儿分娩方式差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 脐血瘦素、IGF-Ⅰ在调节胎儿生长发育方面起着重要作用,参与胎儿的生长发育过程,可作为评价胎儿生长发育及营养状态的临床指标之一.脐血瘦素、IGF-Ⅰ水平异常可能是引起胎儿宫内生长迟缓和巨大儿发生的原因之一.     

母血及脐血IGF-1、C肽和IGFBP-1质量浓度与新生儿出生体重的关系

目的探讨母体和脐血血清胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、C肽(CP)及胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-1(IGFBP-1)质量浓度对新生儿出生体重的影响.方法选择12例大于胎龄儿(LGA)、15例适于胎龄儿(AGA)和20例小于胎龄儿(SGA),分为3组,分别抽取脐血和其母外周静脉血,分离血清.采用ELISA法测定IGF-1、CP和IGFBP-1.结果 (1)LGA组脐血IGF-1、CP、IGFBP-1质量浓度(ng·mL-1)分别为59.76±14.50,1.36±0.58,53.78±19.67;AGA组为33.65±12.74,0.90±0.45,104.79±27.60;SGA组为17.05±8.10,0.52±0.22,169.21±55.30;3组间差异有显著性意义(P<0.01).(2)LGA组新生儿母亲血清IGF-1、CP、IGFBP-1质量浓度(ng·mL-1)分别为267.15±99.43,2.84±0.93,158.50±51.25;AGA组母亲分别为237.34±105.56,2.71±0.72,170.78±63.69;SGA组分别为229.53±94.17,2.59±0.83,188.90±74.04;3组间比较差异均无显著性.但同组患儿母血IGF-1、CP及IGFBP-1均显著高于脐血水平(除SGA组母血与脐血IGFBP-1差异无显著性外).(3)新生儿出生体重与脐血IGF-1、CP呈正相关(r分别为0.814、0.654,P<0.01);与IGFBP-1呈负相关(r=-0.759,P<0.01);而与母血IGF-1、CP及IGFBP-1无明显相关性.结论脐血IGF-1、CP及IGFBP-1与胎儿生长关系密切.营养物质-胰岛素-胰岛素样生长因子轴是调节胎儿宫内生长发育的重要因素.     

IGF-1、IGFBP-3与极低出生体质量儿生后早期生长发育的关系

目的探讨胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3(IGFBP-3)与早产极低出生体质量儿(VLBW)生后早期生长的关系。方法根据胎龄和出生体质量,将32例VLBW新生儿分为小于胎龄儿(SGA)组和适于胎龄儿(AGA)组,给予相同的营养摄入量,监测两组出生时和生后第7、14、28天时的体质量、身长、头围和体质指数(BMI),并用放射免疫分析法检测相应日龄的血清IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平,计算IGF-1/IGFBP-3摩尔比率。结果两组VLBW新生儿在出生时及生后第7、14天的体质量、身长、头围、BMI差异均无统计学意义;至生后第28天时,SGA组的体质量、BMI均低于AGA组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。SGA组IGF-1、IGFBP-3、IGF-1/IGFBP-3以及AGA组IGF-1/IGFBP-3出生后随日龄变化的差异无统计学意义(P均0.05);但AGA组的IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平随日龄增长而升高,IGF-1于生后第14、28天时高于出生时水平,而IGFBP-3于生后第28天时高于出生时水平,差异有统计学意义(P均0.05)。生后第28天,SGA组IGF-1、IGFBP-3均低于AGA组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 SGA新生儿的IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平低于AGA,低水平的IGF-1、IGFBP-3可能会导致生长迟缓。     

脂联素、瘦素及胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ在胎儿生长发育中的作用

目的探讨脂联素、瘦素及胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ)在胎儿生长发育中的作用。方法选择2006年10月-2007年10月在本院产科出生的新生儿86例。胎龄31~42周;男57例,女29例。根据不同出生体质量分为小于胎龄儿(SGA)组(16例),适于胎龄儿(AGA)组(41例)及大于胎龄儿(LGA)组(29例)。胎儿娩出后立即断脐留脐血20 mL,采用放射免疫分析法测定血清脂联素、瘦素及IGF-Ⅰ水平,同时检测其血脂水平,测量新生儿生长参数,计算体质量指数(BMI)。结果1.新生儿脐血瘦素、脂联素及IGF-Ⅰ水平无显著性别差异。2.脐血瘦素水平在SGA、AGA、LGA3组间有显著差异(P<0.001),LGA组显著高于AGA及SAG组(P<0.01,0.001);脐血瘦素水平与体质量、胎龄、头围、身长、足长及胎盘质量均呈显著正相关(Pa<0.01)。3.脐血脂联素水平与出生体质量、头围、足长、BMI水平均呈显著正相关(Pa<0.05)。脐血脂联素水平在SGA、AGA、LGA3组间有显著差异(P<0.001),LGA组高于AGA及SAG组(Pa<0.01)。4.LGA组脐血IGF-Ⅰ水平显著高于AGA及SAG组,3组间有明显差异(P<0.001);脐血IGF-Ⅰ水平与体质量、头围、身长、足长及胎盘质量均呈显著正相关(Pa<0.01)。5.脐血瘦素与脂联素、IGF-Ⅰ水平呈显著正相关(Pa<0.01),脐血脂联素与IGF-Ⅰ水平无明显相关关系(P>0.05)。6.SGA、AGA、LGA3组血脂水平比较无显著差异(Pa>0.05)。脐血IGF-Ⅰ水平与三酰甘油水平呈明显负相关(P<0.05),脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与血脂各指标间均无明显相关性(Pa>0.05)。结论瘦素与脂联素、IGF-Ⅰ在胎儿宫内生长和发育过程中起重要的调节作用,可作为评价胎儿生长发育及营养状态的临床指标之一。     

足月小于胎龄儿胃饥饿素、胰岛素样生长因子-1及瘦素关系的研究

目的探讨胃饥饿素（Ghrelin）、胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）及瘦素（Leptin）在足月小于胎龄儿（SGA）中的作用及其关系。方法本院产科出生的足月SGA和适于胎龄儿（AGA）各30例,生后测量体重、身长、头围,并计算体重指数（BMI）,生后第3天测定血Ghrelin、IGF-1及Lep-tin水平。结果 SGA组体重、身长、头围、BMI均明显低于AGA组[（2280±190）g比（3220±320）g,（46.3±1.8）cm比（50.5±2.0）cm,（31.8±1.1）cm比（33.6±1.1）cm,（10.6±0.8）cm比（12.6±0.9）cm,P均〈0.05]。SGA组血清IGF-1及Leptin水平均低于AGA组[（49.6±10.3）μg/L比（55.3±9.9）μg/L,（2.4±0.8）μg/L比（3.0±1.0）μg/L],血浆Ghrelin水平高于AGA组[（25.2±11.0）μg/L比（17.3±7.4）μg/L],P均〈0.05。两组IGF-1与体重呈正相关,Leptin与体重、身长呈正相关,Ghrelin与体重、BMI呈负相关,P均〈0.05。两组Ghrelin水平与IGF-1呈负相关,IGF-1与Leptin呈正相关;SGA组Ghrelin水平与Leptin呈负相关,P均〈0.05。结论生后早期SGA新生儿存在高Ghrelin、低IGF-1、低Leptin水平状态。Ghrelin、IGF-1及Leptin共同参与胎儿宫内营养的调节,相互起协同及拮抗作用。     

小于胎龄儿相关因素的研究

为了解不同类型胎儿体格发育（出生体重，身长，头围）情况及小于胎龄儿相关因素，自1999年5月－2000年12月，对在我院分娩的单胎活产新生儿及其母亲424对，进行前瞻性调查。结果显示：小于胎龄儿（SGA）36例，发生率为8．5％，适于胎龄儿（AGA）294例，大于胎龄儿（LGA）94例，SGA组除出生体重外，身长，头围三项指标均低，与AGA组有非常显著意义（P值均＜0．001），影响SGA体格发育Logistic回归分析：最主要危险因素为母孕早期剧吐，被动吸烟，贫血，羊水量过少和母患妊高征，母亲身高，文化程度，胎盘重量与胎儿体格发育呈正相关，SGA组新生儿生后五天内发病率最高为33．3％，与AGA组的2．7％比较有非常显著意义（P＜0．01），因此，防治常见妊娠合并症，加强孕期营养，提高自我保护意识，将有助于降低SGA发生。     

宫内发育迟缓与胰岛素样生长因子及其结合蛋白的关系

目的 检测宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)儿脐血胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)水平,分析这些指标的变化程度与胎儿期生长的关系。方法 将86例脐血标本分为IUGR(即小于胎龄儿)组和适于胎龄儿(AGA)组。采用竞争性放射免疫分析法(RIA)测定IGF-1水平,非竞争性免疫放射分析法测定IGFBP-3水平。两组间比较用t检验,两变量之间的关系采用相关回归分析。结果 与AGA组相比,IUGR组脐血IGF-1和IGFBP-3水平显著降低(P均<0.01);IGF-1、IGFBP-3均随胎龄及出生体重增加而增加(P均<0.01);IGFBP-3与IGF-1呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论 脐血IGF-1和IGFBP-3的含量可作为判断新生儿生长发育程度的一项客观生化指标。     

骨钙素、Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽、胰岛素样生长因子-1及其相关激素与胎儿骨发育的关系

目的 探讨骨钙素(OC)、Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽(PICP) 及胰岛素样生长因子.1(IGF.1)等激素水平与胎儿骨生长发育的关系.方法 选择本院2008年10月-2009年10月收治的新生儿80例.男41例,女39例;胎龄28～42周.根据不同出生体质量分为小于胎龄(SGA)儿组22例,适于胎龄(AGA)儿组36例及大于胎龄(LGA)儿组(22例).胎儿娩出后,胎盘娩出前抽取其脐静脉血6 mL,采用放射免疫分析法测定其血清OC、IGF.1及甲状旁腺激素水平,酶联免疫吸附法检测其脐血PICP水平;同时检测其血钙、磷、ALP水平,测量新生儿生长参数,计算体质量指数(BMI).结果 1.脐血OC水平在SGA儿组、AGA儿组、LGA儿组间比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.000),LGA儿组显著高于AGA儿及SAG儿组(P＜0.01,0.001);脐血OC水平与出生体质量、头围、BMI呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),与身长无明显相关性(P＞0.05).2.LGA儿组脐血IGF.1水平显著高于AGA儿及SAG儿组,3组间比较有统计学差异(P=0.002);脐血IGF.1水平与出生体质量、头围、BMI水平均呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),与身长无明显相关性(P＞0.05).3.AGA儿组、LGA儿组脐血PICP水平明显高于SGA儿组,但3组间无统计学差异(P=0.070).脐血PICP、PTH水平与生长参数各指标水平均无直线相关关系(Pa＞0.05),偏相关分析脐血PICP与出生体质量、头围、BMI均呈正相关(r=0.239、0.250、0.306,Pa<0.05).4.脐血OC水平与PICP、IGF.1水平均呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),OC、PICP与PTH、ALP水平之间均无明显相关(Pa＞0.05).5.3组脐血钙、血磷、ALP水平均无统计学差异(Pa＞0.05).结论 SGA儿低血清OC、PICP水平与骨形成活动下降相关,脐血OC、PICP及IGF.1可作为评价胎儿骨骼生长发育的临床指标之一.     

小于胎龄儿相关因素的研究

为了解不同类型胎儿体格发育(出生体重、身长、头围)情况及小于胎龄儿相关因素,自1999年5月～2000年12月,对在我院分娩的单胎活产新生儿及其母亲424对,进行前瞻性调查.结果显示小于胎龄儿(SGA)36例,发生率为8.5%,适于胎龄儿(AGA)294例,大于胎龄儿(LGA)94例,SGA组除出生体重外,身长、头围三项指标均低,与AGA组有非常显著意义(P值均＜0.001).影响SGA体格发育Logis-tic回归分析最主要危险因素为母孕早期剧吐、被动吸烟、贫血、羊水量过少和母患妊高征.母亲身高、文化程度、胎盘重量与胎儿体格发育呈正相关.SGA组新生儿生后五天内发病率最高为33.3%,与AGA组的2.7%比较有非常显著意义(P＜0.01).因此,防治常见妊娠合并症,加强孕期营养,提高自我保护意识,将有助于降低SGA发生.     

新生儿血清瘦素、生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子-1、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3水平与宫内发育的关系

目的 探讨瘦素(leptin)、生长激素(GH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)在不同宫内发育状况胎儿中的变化,及对胎儿生长发育调控的作用.方法 2004年1月-2006年6月出生早产小于胎龄儿(A组)30例,早产适于胎龄儿(B组)36例,足月小于胎龄儿(C组)32例,足月适于胎龄儿(D组)37例.生后24 h内抽取患儿静脉血,用放射免疫法(RIA)检测其血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平,组间比较采用及多元回归相关分析.结果 各组新生儿血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平均存在明显差异(Pa<0.05,0.01),各指标基本呈C、A、B、D组次序由低到高,但A组IGF-1与C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在A、B和C组,出生体质量与leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3呈正相关(Pa<0.01),而D组出生体质量与IGF-1呈正相关(P<0.01),与其他激素无相关性.结论 leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3参与宫内发育迟缓儿和早产儿宫内生长发育的调控.IGF-1在早产适于胎龄儿的宫内生长发育中也起调控作用,而leptin、GH、IGFBP-3均不是足月适于胎龄儿生长发育的主要调节因素.     

Relationship of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, insulin, growth hormone in cord blood and maternal factors with birth height and birthweight

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the following factors are related to birthweight or birth height, we measured insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3, insulin and growth hormone (GH) levels in cord blood and also observed the relationship between birthweight, birth height and maternal factors. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-four cord bloods were collected, 106 from males and 88 from females. Three newborns were small for gestational age (SGA), 168 were appropriate (AGA) and 23 were large (LGA); 21 newborns were preterm and 172 were term. RESULTS: Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly lower in preterm babies (35.3 +/- 15.1 and 1025.6 +/- 562.8 ng/mL, respectively) than in term babies (61.6 +/- 39.5 and 1252.6 +/- 403.2 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.01), but neither insulin nor GH levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, showed any significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Among term babies, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly higher in the LGA group (96.1 +/- 34.1 and 1544.7 +/- 418.1 ng/mL, respectively) than in the AGA group (56.4 +/- 37.6 and 1212.8 +/- 383.4 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 showed significant correlation with birthweight and length, respectively (P < 0.01), although GH and insulin levels did not (P > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels (P < 0.01, r = 0.64), but IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels showed no relationship with GH or insulin levels. Birthweight correlated significantly with prepartum maternal weight, maternal weight gain and maternal height (P < 0.05), but birth length correlated significantly only with maternal height (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that fetal growth depends on fetal levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and maternal factors, not on insulin or GH. Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 may not be regulated by insulin alone, but by the complex interactions between several factors, such as insulin, GH and maternal factors.     

Placental IGF-I, IGFBP-1, zinc, and iron, and maternal and infant anthropometry at birth

Aim: To correlate placental protein levels of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)‐1, with previously determined levels of IGF‐I and IGF‐II mRNA expression, and the micronutrients zinc and iron, and maternal and newborn anthropometry. Methods: Placental samples were collected from rural field sites in Pakistan. Samples were divided into small and large for gestational age groups (SGA and LGA, respectively). IGFBP‐1 levels were assessed using Western immunoblotting. IGF‐I protein levels were assessed using ELISA techniques. IGF mRNA expression, zinc, and iron, were quantified as previously described and were used for comparative purposes only. Results: Thirty‐three subjects were included (SGA, n = 12; LGA n = 21). Higher levels of IGFBP‐1 were seen in the SGA group (p < 0.01). IGFBP‐1 correlated positively with maternal and infant triceps skin‐fold thickness in the LGA and SGA groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Significantly lower IGF‐I protein levels were seen in the SGA group. IGF‐I levels correlated significantly with maternal and newborn anthropometry. IGFBP‐1 correlated significantly with IGF‐II mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Placental protein levels of IGF‐I and IGFBP‐1 appear to be associated with maternal anthropometry. Maternal anthropometry may thus influence IGFBP‐1 and IGF‐I levels and may possibly be used for screening of pregnancies, with the potential for timely identification of these high‐risk pregnancies.     

小于胎龄儿新生儿期ghrelin水平与生长轴关系的研究

目的通过比较小于胎龄儿（SGA）与适于胎龄儿（AGA）新生儿早期血ghrelin水平和代谢促生长轴各因素的差别和相关性,探索ghrelin在SGA发病机制中的作用。方法通过配对对17例SGA和17例AGA的血清ghrelin、IGF-1、生长激素、胰岛素、血糖浓度进行比较并分析其差异的意义。结果与AGA组相比,SGA组血ghrelin水平显著升高（P〈0．05）,血IGF-1、胰岛素水平显著下降（P〈0．05）,血生长激素和血糖水平差异无统计学意义。结论与AGA相比,SGA新生儿有高ghrelin血症。SGA新生儿的高血ghrenlin水平伴随其低下的出生体重、身长、血IGF-1、胰岛素水平,在一定程度上反映了其宫内营养不良状况。ghrelin作为胰岛素的反调节激素,SGA的ghrelin高分泌可能是宫内能量负平衡所致低胰岛素、低IGF-1状态反馈和／或重整性调控的结果。     

成都市9~15岁儿童出生情况与体格指标流行病学调查

目的：宫内环境可能对儿童生长发育产生影响,通过流行病学调查研究四川省成都市9~15岁儿童出生胎龄、体重与体格发育指标的关系。方法：调查9~15岁的中小学学生共7194名,根据出生胎龄及体重对儿童进行分类（包括小于胎龄儿、适于胎龄儿、大于胎龄儿）,测量身高、体重,并对其家长进行问卷调查。结果：被调查人群小于胎龄儿发生率为6.23%（448例）,其中身高未出现“追赶生长”（低于均值两个标准差）为5.13%,且多个年龄段儿童平均身高低于适于胎龄儿（P<0.05）。大于胎龄儿发生率为18.06% (1299例),大于胎龄儿中超重发生率为13.78% (179 例),肥胖发生率为4.39%（57例）,且多个年龄段儿童平均体重大于适于胎龄儿（P<0.05）。结论：出生时为小于胎龄儿、大于胎龄儿的儿童在远期生长发育中,可以出现身高和体重异于正常儿童,应关注这类孩子在学龄期的身高体重发育情况。     

脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与胎儿发育的相关性

目的 探讨脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与胎儿生长发育的关系.方法 选择2006年10月至2007年10月在我院产科出生的新生儿86例,根据不同出生体质量分为小于胎龄儿(SGA)组16例,适于胎龄儿(AGA)组41例,大于胎龄儿(LGA)组29例.胎儿娩出后立即断脐留脐血20ml,采用放射免疫分析法测定血清脂联素、瘦素水平,同时检测其血脂水平,测量新生儿生长参数,计算体质量指数(BMI).结果 (1)3组脐血瘦素和脂联素水平差异有统计学意义(P<0.001),LGA组明显高于AGA及SAG组(P<0.01);(2)脐血瘦素水平与体质量、胎龄、头围、身长、足长及胎盘重量呈正相关(P<0.01),脐血脂联素水平与出生体质量、头围、足长、BMI水平呈正相关(P<0.05).(3)脐血瘦素与脂联素水平呈显著正相关(P<0.01).(4)3组血脂水平比较差异无统计学意义;脐血脂联素、瘦素水平与血脂各指标间无明显相关性(P>0.05).结论 瘦素与脂联素在胎儿宫内生长和发育过程中起重要的调节作用.     

Third trimester fetal growth and umbilical venous blood concentrations of IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and growth hormone at term.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and growth hormone (GH) concentrations were measured in umbilical venous blood after delivery of 78 term newborn infants. Three groups of pregnancies were prospectively identified during the third trimester, according to fetal size and subsequent fetal growth, assessed by repeated ultrasound scans. Fetal size was considered either appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA), according to whether the first ultrasound measurement of abdominal circumference was equal to or above, or below the tenth centile for gestational age, respectively. Subsequent fetal growth was quantified by the change in the standard deviation score of abdominal circumference measurements between the first and last scans before delivery. Fetal growth retardation (FGR) was defined as a (negative) change in SD score of greater than -1.5. Eighteen SGA fetuses with evidence of FGR had significantly lower IGF-1 (median 0.05 (range 0.0-0.24) U/ml) at delivery than 35 SGA fetuses with normal growth (median 0.13 (range 0.0-0.94) U/ml; P < 0.05) and 25 AGA fetuses with normal growth (median 0.31 (range 0.0-0.84) U/ml; P < 0.05). The median concentration in the SGA group with normal growth was also significantly lower than that of the AGA group with normal growth. There were no significant differences in IGFBP-1 or GH concentrations between the three groups. These observations indicate that umbilical blood concentrations at birth of IGF-1, but not IGFBP-1 or GH, relate to both fetal size and fetal growth during the third trimester of pregnancies reaching term.     

Maternal and fetal serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), leptin levels and early postnatal growth in infants born asymmetrically small for gestational age

This study was planned to investigate the relationship between birth weight and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and leptin levels in neonates with normal growth (appropriate for gestational age: AGA) and retarded growth (small for gestational age: SGA); and to evaluate these growth factors' effects in early postnatal growth. All newborns were full-term: gestational age 3,841 weeks. Of 50 neonates, 25 were SGA. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels were measured in maternal serum and venous cord blood at birth and at 15 days of life of neonates using specific RIAs. Maternal serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher than cord blood leptin concentrations (p < 0.001). Maternal serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels did not show correlations with birth weight. In contrast, there were significantly positive correlations between birth weight and venous cord blood IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels (p < 0.001). In the SGA group, the newborns with a slow postnatal growth pattern had lower umbilical cord serum IGF-I levels compared with newborns with a normal growth pattern. A similar result was also found in the AGA group. Similar results were not found for serum leptin and IGFBP-3. In conclusion, cord blood IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and leptin levels play an important role in the regulation of fetal and neonatal growth. It is likely that IGF-I has a more important role than the other factors in early postnatal growth.