IGF-I and relation to growth in infancy and early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term born infants

<div><p>Background</p><p>In very-low-birth-weight infants IGF-I plays an important role in postnatal growth restriction and is probably also involved in growth restriction in childhood. We compared IGF-I and its relation to growth in early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term appropriate for gestational age born infants.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We included 41 very-low-birth-weight and 64 term infants. Anthropometry was performed at all visits to the outpatient clinic. IGF-I and insulin were measured in blood samples taken at 6 months and 2 years corrected age (very-low-birth-weight children) and at 3 months, 1 and 2 years (term children).</p><p>Results</p><p>Over the first 2 years of life growth parameters are lower in very-low-birth-weight children compared to term children, but the difference in length decreases significantly. During the first 2 years of life IGF-I is higher in very-low-birth-weight children compared to term children. In both groups there is a significant relationship between IGF-I and (change in) length and weight over the first 2 years of life and between insulin and change in total body fat.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Considering the relation of IGF-I to growth and the decrease in difference in length, higher IGF-I levels in very-low-birth-weight infants in early childhood probably have an important role in catch-up growth in length.</p></div

Anthropometry of the VLBW (n = 41) and term AGA (n = 64) children.

<p>Anthropometry of the VLBW (n = 41) and term AGA (n = 64) children.</p

Longitudinal relationship between IGF-I and insulin and changes in growth parameters.

<p>Longitudinal relationship between IGF-I and insulin and changes in growth parameters.</p

Characteristics of the VLBW and term AGA children.

<p>Characteristics of the VLBW and term AGA children.</p

IGF-I and insulin.

<p>IGF-I and insulin.</p

Additional file 1 of Doxapram versus placebo in preterm newborns: a study protocol for an international double blinded multicentre randomized controlled trial (DOXA-trial)

Additional file 1