BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to establish age- and sex-related reference ranges of serum IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in a pattern of Tunisian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred healthy Tunisian children (103 boys and 97 girls), aged between 6 and 16 yr, were considered in the study. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are observed to be higher in girls compared to boys of the same age interval. However, these differences were statistically significant only in pubertal ages (11-14 yr) for IGF-I and in pre-pubertal ages (6-10 yr) for IGFBP- 3 (p<0.05). Steeper variations in IGF-I concentrations were obtained earlier in girls than in boys (11-12 vs 12-13 yr, Tanner stage 3-4). Peak of IGF-I levels are observed at almost the same age interval (12-14 yr). IGFBP-3 levels significantly increased at steeper variations of IGF-I for both sexes followed by steady values. CONCLUSIONS: Variations of IGF-I and IGFBP- 3 with the considered parameters (sex, age, and puberty stage), which concord with previous studies on various populations, emphasize the importance of locally established reference levels to construct a SD score prediction model. Establishment of reference serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 ranges during childhood and adolescence in Tunisian subjects can help to enhance the diagnostic efficiency of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in evaluating growth disorders in our population.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to establish age- and sex-related reference ranges of serum IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in a pattern of Tunisian children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred healthy Tunisian children (103 boys and 97 girls), aged between 6 and 16 yr, were considered in the study. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are observed to be higher in girls compared to boys of the same age interval. However, these differences were statistically significant only in pubertal ages (11-14 yr) for IGF-I and in pre-pubertal ages (6-10 yr) for IGFBP- 3 (p<0.05). Steeper variations in IGF-I concentrations were obtained earlier in girls than in boys (11-12 vs 12-13 yr, Tanner stage 3-4). Peak of IGF-I levels are observed at almost the same age interval (12-14 yr). IGFBP-3 levels significantly increased at steeper variations of IGF-I for both sexes followed by steady values. CONCLUSIONS: Variations of IGF-I and IGFBP- 3 with the considered parameters (sex, age, and puberty stage), which concord with previous studies on various populations, emphasize the importance of locally established reference levels to construct a SD score prediction model. Establishment of reference serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 ranges during childhood and adolescence in Tunisian subjects can help to enhance the diagnostic efficiency of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in evaluating growth disorders in our population.
Authors: Alice P S Kong; Gary W K Wong; Kai-Chow Choi; Chung-Shun Ho; Michael H M Chan; Christopher W K Lam; Peter C Y Tong; Risa Ozaki; Wing-Yee So; Ronald C W Ma; Joseph T F Lau; Juliana C N Chan Journal: Clin Biochem Date: 2007-06-30 Impact factor: 3.281
Authors: C Löfqvist; E Andersson; L Gelander; S Rosberg; W F Blum; K Albertsson Wikland Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2001-12 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Georg Brabant; Alexander von zur Mühlen; Christian Wüster; Michael B Ranke; Jürgen Kratzsch; Wieland Kiess; Jean-Marie Ketelslegers; Lars Wilhelmsen; Lena Hulthén; Bernhard Saller; Anders Mattsson; Jürgen Wilde; Rudolf Schemer; Peter Kann Journal: Horm Res Date: 2003
Authors: A Juul; P Bang; N T Hertel; K Main; P Dalgaard; K Jørgensen; J Müller; K Hall; N E Skakkebaek Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 1994-03 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Abdullah Bereket; Serap Turan; Anjumanara Omar; Mustafa Berber; Ahmet Ozen; Cengiz Akbenlioglu; Goncagul Haklar Journal: Horm Res Date: 2006-02-03