Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0086 |
| Title: | Size at birth and plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations |
| Author(s): | Fall CHD, Pandit AN, et al. |
| Reference: | Arch. D. in Childhood 1995; 73: 287-293 |
| Place of Study: | Pune, India and Salisbury, England |
| Abstract: | The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that reduced fetal growth leads to altered plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations in childhood. This is a follow-up study of four year old children whose birth weights were recorded and of seven year old children whose weight, length, head circumference and placental weight were measured at birth. Children of lower birth weight develop higher circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 than expected for their height and weight. According to the authors this may be one of the mechanisms linking reduced fetal growth and high blood pressure in later life. |
| Keyword(s): | birth weight, Blood pressure, insulin-like growth factor-1 |
| Discussion: | We must keep in mind that the important Jerusalem study did not confirm the correlations between birth weight and blood pressure at age 17. As in many studies relating an adult condition to birth size, birth order has not been taken into consideration. Yet birth order is the best known single factor influencing birth weight. For example according to a British calculation the average difference in birth weight between first born and second born children is 138 grams. (see Odent M., Tsujino J., Studies exploring health in relation to intrauterine life should look at birth order, BMJ 1997; 314:1416) |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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