The Serum Level Of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 And The Plasma Level Of Ghrelin In 2-7 Years Old Children And Their Relationship With Growth And Development

Objectives To explore the role of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) andghrelin in the growth and development of 2-7 years old children born smallfor gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA stunting children.Methods 20 normal children born appropriate for gestational age (controlgroup) and 30 children born small for gestational age (SGA group) and 30stunting children born not small for gestational age (non-SGA stunting group)were included.The anthropometric parameters and the total calorie of 72-hourbefore taking their venous blood sample were obtained. We measured theserum level of IGF-1 and the plasma level of ghrelin of the three groups. Andthe results were analyzed by t-test, x~2-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearsoncorrelation test.Result①The height SD score (HtSDS) in SGA group, control group andnon-SGA stunting group were -0.7730±1.3425, -0.1072±0.6631 and -2.1873±0.3778 respectively, and the weight SD score (WtSDS) were-1.1258±1.0598, -0.4913±0.7398, -1.8457±0.7127 respectively. Growthslowness was existed in the SGA children at the age of 2-7 years.②Totalcalorie intake of 72-hour before hemospasia in the non-SGA stunting groupwas lower than that of the control group (P=0.015).③The level of serumIGF-1 in the three groups were positively related to age, HtSDS and WtSDS.There was no significant difference between the control and SGA group (P=0.940), either between the short-statured SGA and the control group(P=0.677). The level of IGF-1 in the non-SGA stunting group were lowerthan that of the control group(P=0.024).④The level of plasma ghrelinwere negatively related to WtSDS and total calorie intake of 72-hour beforehemospasia .There was no significant difference between the control andSGA group (P=0.952), either between the short-statured SGA and the controlgroup (P=0.510). The level of ghrelin in the non-SGA stunting group washigher than that of the control group (P=0.044).⑤No correlation betweenthe level of IGF-1 and ghrelin in the three groups was observed.Conclusions①There were no relationships between the level of plasmaghrelin of the 2-7 year-aged children and their gender or ages.②Growthslowness of the non-SGA stunting children may relate to their food intake.③The level of IGF-1 and ghrelin showed no significant difference betweenthe SGA and control children at the age of 2-7 years old. In contrast, growthretardation was existed in the SGA children. It suggested that the sensitivitiydifferences to IGF-1 and ghrelin may exist in SGA children.④There wereno correlation between IGF-1 and ghrelin in the three groups.