Is smallness for gestational age associated with persistent change in insulin-like growth factor I ( IGF-I ) and the ratio of IGF-I/IGF-binding protein-3 in adulthood?
Serum IGF-I concentrations and the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio are lower in adult subjects born SGA. Although the origin of this persisting alteration of the IGF-IGFBP axis in adulthood needs to be elucidated, its potential contribution to the long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications associated with fetal growth restriction is important to consider in the future.
This is the first empirical evidence of the needs and services used by these patient groups in Australia, and will form the basis for future developments of palliative and supportive care services for people with these four neurological conditions.