Serum IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 levels in children with isolated growth hormone deficiencies and panhypopituitarism.

ABSTRACT

Serum IGF-I,IGF-II and IGFBP-3 levels were measured by radio-immunometric assay in 24 children, 16 with isolated growth hormone deficiencies (GHD) and 8 with panhypopituitarism. AII serum parameters were significantly lower in panhypopituitarism than in isolated GHD. Serum IGF-I levels were lower than the normal range in 50 percent of the patients. However, 66.7 percent of isolated GHD children older than 10 years had serum IGF-I levels lower than the normal range. AII isolated GHD children had serum IGFBP-3 levels lower than the 50th percentile or mean of normal range. Combined IGF-I and IGF-II levels had no more advantage than IGF-L levels in the diagnosis of isolated GHD. Serum IGFII levels were lower than normal range in 87.5 percent. In conclusion, serum IGFBP-3 measurement is useful than IGF-I in all age groups. Low serum IGF-II levels and panhypopituitarism were demonstrated in this study.