Influence of catch-up growth on IGFBP-2 levels and association between IGFBP-2 and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean children born SGA.

Small for gestational age (SGA) at birth and postnatal growth pattern may have an impact on insulin resistance and body composition in their later life. Emerging evidence has indicated that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) may be related to insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate insulin resistance and IGFBP-2 levels in SGA children, and to identify the effect of catch-up growth on IGFBP-2 concentration. Serum IGFBP-2 levels were measured in 103 Korean SGA children including 49 prepubertal and 54 pubertal subjects. Anthropometric values, fasting serum levels of metabolic parameters and insulin sensitivity indices were determined. Each prepubertal or pubertal group was subgrouped based on height or weight catch-up growth. The subgroups with weight catch-up showed higher values of BMI, body fat mass, percent body fat, and total cholesterol. Particularly in pubertal children, IGFBP-2 concentration was lower in the subgroup with weight catch-up. Catch-up growth in height did not affect insulin resistance and metabolic parameters. IGFBP-2 levels were inversely correlated with BMI, body fat mass, percent body fat, insulin and leptin levels in both prepubertal and pubertal groups. Additionally in the pubertal group, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol levels were related to IGFBP-2. A strong relationship between IGFBP-2, the insulin sensitivity index, and some cardiovascular risk factors was observed in children born SGA, suggesting that IGFBP-2 might be a promising marker for early recognition of insulin resistance, particularly in children with weight catch-up.