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 mug/ml, p97th 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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