Abstract
It has been shown by several authors that neonates with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) have a profound decrease of IGF1 levels in cord blood. According to previous animal studies this is believed to be the consequence of fetal malnutrition. This work was undertaken to study IGF1 levels in normal sized and GR fetuses. Serum IGF1 was obtained during the second and third trimester of gestation. 135 fetal blood samples taken for prenatal diagnosis were drawn from the umbilical cord in utero. Gestational age was determined from the date of the last menstrual period and was confirmed by ultrasound. Diagnosis of IUGR was made according to the ultrasound data growth curves < 10th perc. (n=35) and non IUGR fetuses > 10th perc.(n=100). IGF1 (ng/ml) was measured by RIA after acid gel filration and results expressed as mean ±sem.
In normal sized fetuses IGFI levels increased gradually during gestation (r=0.40). On the contrary, in GR fetuses this increase did not occurred. Between 18 and 30 wks of gestation, IGF1 levels were similar in GR and normal sized fetuses. However after 30 wks of gestation a significant difference was demonstrated between these 2 groups (p=0.008).
In conclusion: compared to normal sized fetuses, IUGR fetuses have a decreased IGF1 levels during the third trimester of gestation. These results suggest that fetal IGF1 might be regulated by nutritional factors only during the last part of gestation.
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Baron, S., Leger, J., Oury, J. et al. SERUM IGFI LEVELS IN NORMAL SIZED AND GROWTH RETARDED (GR) HUMAN FETUS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S70 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00404
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00404