Endocrine Abstracts

This study was planned to investigate the relationship between birth weight and IGF1, IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP3), in neonates with normal growth (appropriate for gestational age: AGA) and retarded growth (small for gestational age: SGA). A total of 200 mothers were recruited, 120 serum samples were maternal and collected between gestational age of 32-38 weeks, 80 were cord blood from SGA and AGA fetus collected soon after delivery. 98 maternal samples and 48 cord blood samples were analysed. IGF1, IGFBP3 were measured in maternal serum and venous cord blood at birth by chemi-lumnescent immunometric assay. Maternal serum IGF1, did not show correlations with birth weight, though IGBP3 was positively correlated. In contrast, there were significantly positive correlations between birth weight and venous cord blood IGF1, IGFBP3 (P<0.001). In conclusion, cord blood IGF1, IGFBP3 play an important role in the regulation of fetal and neonatal growth. It is likely that IGFBP3 in maternal blood and IGF1 and IGFBP3 play an important role in growth potential of fetus.