INSULIN AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 IN THE CORD BLOOD OF MACROSOMIC BABIES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Measurement of the levels of glucose, insulin and Insulin Growth
Like-Factor-1( IGF-1) in cord blood of macrosomic babies and normosomic
controls, and determining the correlation of these biomarkers with foetal
anthropometric measures of birth weight, foetal length and Occipito-Frontal-
Circumference.
Method: A cross-sectional study of cord-blood insulin and insulin-like growth
factor-1, in which One hundred and fifty babies (150) [ 100 macrosomic ( ≥4kg) and
50 normosomic controls ( 2.5-3.5kg)] at birth were recruited from the Lagos
University Teaching Hospital, and four (4) maternal and child health affiliates of
General Hospitals in Lagos State ( Randle, Isolo, Mushin and Island maternity),
and cord blood samples were collected at the point of delivery ( caesarean section
and vaginal birth) following the separation of the babies from their mother. Foetal
anthropometry were determined within 24hrs, and collected cord samples were
stored at -800C until assay time for the biomarkers.
Result: Mean levels of glucose in both macrosomic and normosomic control babies
were not stastically significant, (78.52 ±19.22 vs74.49±30.93 respectively p= 0.329).
Plasma IGF-1 and Insulin level were statistically significant with levels in
macrosomia higher than normosomic controls (IGF-1: 85.09vs53.94 p=0.0001 //
Insulin: 4.84 vs 3.51 p=0.023 respectively.). Similarly, anthropometric parameters
showed significant correlation with the biomarkers (IGF-1 r=0.301(FL), r= 0.373
(OFC), 0.471 (birth weight) p=0.0001.// Insulin: r=0.190 (FL), r= 0.181 (birth
weight) p<0.05) except for insulin and OFC which was not statistically significant.
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There was very weak negative correlation between glucose and the birth
anthropometric parameters (Glucose r= -0.002(FL), r= -0.114(OFC), r= -0.061(birth
weight) all not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Foetal macrosomia is associated with high levels of Insulin like growth
factor-1 and hyperinsulinaemia, while glucose levels was not statistically significant
between the macrosomic and normosomic babies. Similarly, there is correlation
between these biomarkers and anthropometric measures in the babies.