Smallness for Gestational Age Is Associated with Persistent Change in Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) and the Ratio of IGF-I/IGF-Binding Protein-3 in Adulthood

Abstract

Serum IGF-I concentrations and the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio are lower in adult subjects born SGA. Although the origin of this persisting alteration of the IGF-IGFBP axis in adulthood needs to be elucidated, its potential contribution to the long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications associated with fetal growth restriction is important to consider in the future.