The association between serum IGF-1 and neonatal growth and disease in a NICU

Purpose : The objective of this study was to establish the serum IGF-1 level in newborn infants, and investigate its association with growth and diseases. Methods : In a retrospective study, serum IGF-1 levels were measured for newborn infants admitted to NICU at Kyungpook University Hospital from March 2007 to July 2007. Birth data, disease history, and hospital course were obtained from medical records. Results : Of 52 blood samples obtained at birth, serum IGF-l levels in 30 preterm infants (31.627.3 ng/mL) were lower than in 22 full-term infants (53.440.0 ng/mL; P40.2 ng/mL) were lower than in healthy full-term infants (64.139.5 ng/mL; P23.3 ng/mL) and sick infants (30.630.4 ng/mL); however, IGF-1 levels in both sick and healthy preterm infants were lower than in healthy full-term infants. Among infants admitted after 8 days of life, serum IGF-1 levels were higher in infants who gained weight (70.836.2 ng/mL) than in infants who lost weight (13.319.9 ng/mL; P