Changes in insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3] in relation to age and pubertal development in children

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to determine the changes in the values of both insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3] in healthy children and adolescents in different ages and in both sexes. The results of the present study revealed that IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations increased slowly with age with a steep increase near the age of puberty. No difference was observed for IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels between males and females in the studied age groups. A significant increase in both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 was noted with an advancement in the pubertal stage. A significant positive correlation was noted between age and both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 as well as between both analytes and body mass index [BMI]. A significant correlation was encountered between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 suggesting a common regulatory mechanism