Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in healthy Thai children and adolescents: relation to height, weight, and body mass index.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and growth parameters (height, weight, and body mass index) in 260 healthy children and adolescents aged 5-20 years. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the age achieving final height. Group 1 included children with active growth consisting of girls aged under 14 years (N = 80) and boys aged under 16 years (n = 74). Group 2 included adolescents who achieved final height consisting of females aged at and over 14 years (n = 82), and males aged at and over 16 years (n = 24). In group 1, the serum concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were significantly positive correlated with all growth parameters. In group 2, although the correlation was insignificant, the concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 seemed to be greater in individuals who were relatively taller and had lean body mass than those who were relatively short and over average body mass.