Growth Patterns in Small for Gestational Age Babies and Correlation with Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Levels

Objective: Correlation of catch-up growth and Insulin-like Growth Factor -1 levels (IGF-I) inSGA babies. Methods: 50 Full-term Small for Gestational Age children aged 12-18 monthswere analyzed for Catch-up growth (gain in weight and/or length, Standard Deviation Score/SDS >0.67). IGF-1 was measured after post-glucose load using ELISA method andcorrelated with catch-up growth. Results: Mean (SD) birthweight and length were 2.1 (0.3)Kg and 44.4 (3.1) cm, respectively. At enrollment, mean (SD) age, weight and length were15.0 (2.1) months, 7.7 (1.3) Kg, and 72.9 (5.6) cm, respectively. Catch-up growth was notedin 60% children. IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in children showing catch-up growth(56.6 (63.2) ng/mL) compared to those not having catch up growth (8.7 (8.3) ng/mL). IGF-1was positively correlated with both weight and length catch-up. Conclusion: Majority ofSmall for Gestational Age showed catch-up growth by 18 months, which had good correlationwith IGF-1 levels