Correlation between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 and retinopathy of prematurity

Objective To determine the changes of serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the premature infant,and to explore the correlation between serum IGF-1 and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods Premature infants with gestational age ＜34 weeks or birth weight ＜2000 g were enrolled in the study.They were divided into two groups,ROP group (with ROP) 30 cases,premature control group (without ROP) 30 cases.In the time of first week after delivery,corrected gestational age at 32,34,36 and 40 week,we collected peripheral venous blood and measured the levels of serum IGF-1.At the same time 30 cases of full term newborn were chosen as mature control group.Results Before corrected gestational age of 40 week,serum levels of IGF-lwere rising in ROP group and premature control group.IGF-1 levels of ROP group were significantly lower than those of the premature control group in the first week and corrected gestational age at 32,34,36 week (P ＜ 0.05).IGF-1 levels in ROP group and premature control group were both lower than those of the mature control group in the first week (P ＜ 0.05).At corrected gestational age of 40 week,there was no significant difference among three groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Low levels of IGF-1 in premature infant may lead to ROP generation in the early period after birth.Improving the serum level of IGF-1 may effectively control the occurrence of ROP during the critical period. Key words: Premature infant;  Retinopathy of prematurity;  Insulin-like growth factor-1