NORMAL PLASMA-LEVELS OF IGF BINDING-PROTEIN IN PERTHES-DISEASE - FOLLOW-UP OF PREVIOUS REPORT

Plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3 ) were measured in 55 children with Perthes' disease and 55 age- and s ex-matched controls. IGFBP-3 values did not differ between the 2 group s and corresponded well to normal values found by others. The IGF I/IG FBP-3 ratio was reduced during the first 2 years of Perthes' disease. Our findings indicate that low levels of circulating IGF I in Perthes' disease, as we have reported previously, are caused neither by altere d concentrations of the principal IGF-binding protein, IGFBP-3, nor by an underlying growth hormone deficiency.