Abstract
Recent data indicate the serum concentration of IGFBP-3 (the major post-natal IGF binding protein) may be clinically important in some pathophysiologic states. Existing cross-sectional data suggest an ontogeny exists for IGFBP-3, with levels increasing with age and peaking during puberty. To investigate the pattern of change in IGFBP-3 within individuals, and expand understanding of this potentially important component of the human GH axis, the IGFBP-3 level was determined in 309 serum saitples obtained from 23 boys over 4.1-6.4 yrs as they progressed through puberty (assayed at Endocrine Sciences). IGFBP-3 conc. ranged from 1.7 to 7.0 mg/L. Though there was a general trend of rising IGFBP-3 conc. with age (intrasubject r=0.33, P<.001), values within individuals often fluctuated unpredictably. However, intrasubject variability was signif. less than that present in the larger population (CV=19.8±1%vs26%, p<.001). Within individuals, IGFBP-3 level correlated with growth velocity (r=0.38, p<.001). For all data, IGFBP-3 conc. correlated with BA (r=0.43), testosterone conc. (r=0.31) and height SDS (r-0.26; all p<.001). We conclude that the serum concentration of IGFBP-3 follows the general trend of an increase with age and pubertal stage suggested by previous cross-sectional studies. There is significant fluctuation over time within individuals suggesting some caution when using this as a diagnostic tool though the range of this intra-individual variation is tighter than that of the larger “normal” range.
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Martha, P., Blizzard, R. & Rogol, A. A LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF IGFBP-3 CONCENTRATION IN NORMAL BOYS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S47 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00266
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00266