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Growth factors, adiponectin, leptin and body mass index in pre-pubertal children born large for gestational age

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation volume 34, pages 411–416 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether the IGF axis in pre-pubertal children born large for gestational age (LGA) differs from that of those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Research design and methods: The study population consisted of 98 non-obese children aged 5.5–8 yr, of whom 37 were LGA, with birth weight (BW) >90th percentile, and 61 AGA. The LGA children were subdivided into two subgroups, with BW 90th–97th percentile (no.=24) and BW >97th percentile (no.=13), respectively. Total and free IGF-I, their binding proteins 1 and 3 (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3), leptin, adiponectin, fasting glucose (GF) and insulin (IF) were measured, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR index) was determined. Results: IGF-I, free IGF-I and IGFBP-1 were similar in both groups. Both LGA subgroups had lower IGFBP-3 levels than the AGA group (2.34±0.61 and 2.70±0.90, respectively, vs 3.92±1.1 μg/ml, p<0.01). Adiponectin was higher in the 90th–97th percentile LGA subgroup than the AGA group (p<0.01). GF and IF were higher in the LGA group (86.5±5.6 mg/dl, p<0.01, and 5.84±2.13 μU/ml, respectively, p<0.05) than in the AGA group (82.6±7.7 mg/dl and 4.62±1.9 μU/ml, respectively), as was the HOMA-IR index (1.27±0.60 vs 0.94±0.43, p<0.01). These three parameters were also found higher in the >97th percentile LGA subgroup. Conclusion: The IGF axis was not different in pre-pubertal children born LGA or AGA, with the exception of IGFBP-3, which was lower in the LGA children. In LGA pre-pubertal children the severity of intrauterine overgrowth was associated with the insulin resistance indices.

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Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Research Laboratory, Child Health Department, University of Ioannina, Greece

    A. S. Challa & V. I. Cholevas

  2. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    E. N. Evagelidou, V. I. Giapros & S. K. Andronikou

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  1. A. S. Challa
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  2. E. N. Evagelidou
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  3. V. I. Giapros
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  4. V. I. Cholevas
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  5. S. K. Andronikou
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Correspondence to V. I. Giapros.

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Challa, A.S., Evagelidou, E.N., Giapros, V.I. et al. Growth factors, adiponectin, leptin and body mass index in pre-pubertal children born large for gestational age. J Endocrinol Invest 34, 411–416 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346704

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346704

Key-words

  • IGF
  • adiponectin
  • leptin
  • insulin resistance
  • large for gestational age