Insulin Resistance and Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Children with Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Aims: To investigate (a) the prevalence of insulin resistance in children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR); (b) whether catch-up growth is associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance; (c) the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system status. Methods: 49 children with IUGR aged 9.1 ± 3.3 years underwent anthropometric measurements, and assessment of insulin resistance and IGF system parameters. A fasting glucose/insulin ratio (G/I) Results: 11/49 (22%) children had a G/I Conclusions: (a) Children with IUGR have a high prevalence of reduced insulin sensitivity; (b) postnatal catch-up growth is related to intrauterine growth and actual nutritional status; (c) insulin sensitivity status is not related to postnatal growth but to liver function; (d) IGF system is normal and not related to the insulin resistance parameters during childhood.