Early detection of insulin resistance in children with different types of intrauterine growth restriction

Relevance of the research. Intrauterine growth restriction in children is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus later in life. The influence of type of intrauterine growth restriction and the mechanisms of insulin resistance are still unknown; the role of catch-up growth in this process is controversial.

The aim of the study was to identify insulin resistance in children with different types of intrauterine growth restriction and to analyze the role of catch-up growth in this process.

Materials and methods. The research involved 95 newborns, which were divided into groups based on birth weight and length: 60 newborns with intrauterine growth restriction (group I – 31 with asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction; group II – 29 with symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction) and control group (group III) – 35 newborns without intrauterine growth restriction. Children also were divided into groups according to the presence of catch-up growth to 3 months old. The levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone were measured in cord blood at birth and in blood serum at 3 months old. Glucose levels were measured in serum and insulin resistance index “the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance” (HOMA-IR) was calculated in children at 3 months.

Results. The children with intrauterine growth restrictioncompared to control group had significantly lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 in cord blood. The differences between types of intrauterine growth restrictionhave been observed: children with symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction had higher levels of growth hormone, insulin and HOMA-IR then in asymmetrical one. Correlations between insulin and glucose in children with symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction were absent unlike to asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (+0.61). The negative role of catch-up growth in insulin resistance development has been defined: it was related to hyperinsulinemia and increased the frequency of insulin resistance in children either in asymmetrical or in symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction, but more in symmetrical one.

Conclusion. Children with symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction especially with catch-up growth are at the highest risk of metabolic syndrome development in later life and require increased monitoring by pediatricians and endocrinologists.