Wiley, Acta Paediatrica: Nurturing the Child, 6(105), p. 576-586, 2016
DOI: 10.1111/apa.13350
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Poor postnatal growth after preterm birth does not match the normal rapid growth in utero and is associated with preterm morbidities. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is the major hormonal mediator of growth in utero and levels of IGF-1 are often very low after preterm birth. We reviewed the role of IGF-1 in fetal development and the corresponding preterm perinatal period to highlight the potential clinical importance of IGF-1 deficiency in preterm morbidities. There is a rationale for clinical trials to evaluate the potential benefits of IGF-1 replacement in very preterm infants. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.