Infections and systemic inflammation are associated with lower plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I among Malawian children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is the most important hormonal promoter of linear growth in infants and young children.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to compare plasma IGF-I concentration in a low- compared with a high-income country and characterize biological pathways leading to reduced IGF-I concentration in children in a low-income setting.

Methods

We analyzed plasma IGF-I concentration from 716 Malawian and 80 Finnish children at 6-36 mo of age. In the Malawian children, we studied the association between IGF-I concentration and their environmental exposures; nutritional status; systemic and intestinal inflammation; malaria parasitemia and viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteric infections; as well as growth at 18 mo of age. We then

SUBMITTER: Maleta K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7851819 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature