0374

GROWTH AND SERUM LEVELS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR I IN LOW BIRTH-WEIGHT CHILDREN

Zeng CH, Yang XS, Yu L, Zhang YX, Song M, Zhuo MY

Guangzhou First Municipal Hospital, Guangzhou, China

Objective: To study the effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis on growth and development of low birth-weight (LBW) children during puberty.

Methods: Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and degree of pubertal development were assessed and compared in 56 LBW children and 56 normal birth-weight controls at 7-13 years of age. Serum IGF-I levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.

Results: (1) The serum IGF-I levels were significantly lower in LBW children compared with those of controls, they are 375.05μg/L and 512.03μg/L respectively (P<0.01). (2) 21.4% of LBW children had their height below the 25^th centile of standard percentile curve, 21.4% had their weight below the 25^th centile of standard percentile curve, whereas in controls they were 7.1% and 5.5% respectively, there were significant difference (P<0.01, P<0.01). (3) The average height, weight, BMI and degree of pubertal development were similar with controls.

Conclusion: Height and weight of part of LBW children at 7-13 years were still at lower levels, and IGF-I levels were reduced at this period. Lower IGF-I level might be one of the mechanisms to lead to the growth retardation of LBW children during puberty.