GH-IGF AXIS DURING CATCH-UP GROWTH IN SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL-AGE (SGA)INFANTS

The hormonal profile in 47 small for gestational age (SGA) term newbor ns during their first year of life was studied, The newborns had a mea n birth weight of 2290 +/- 230 g and a length of 45.5 +/- 2.0 cm, and they were followed up every month. Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, and urinary gr owth hormone (u-GH) concentrations were measured at 3 days of age and every 3 months during one year. Serum IGPBP-3 levels were measured at 3 and 6 months of age, Catch up growth (CUG) was defined as an increas e in length z score greater than 1 SD between birth and 6 months of ag e, According to this definition, 27 infants (57.4%) experienced CUG. W e compared the hormonal profile of the infants who demonstrated eviden ce of CUG [CUG(+)] with those who did not [CUG(-)]. Serum IGF-II level s were significantly higher in CUG(+) infants compared to CUG(-) infan ts at 3 months of age, We did not find any differences in serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and urinary GH between CUG(+) and CUG(-) infants at any time during the study.