The insulin-like growth factors and growth disorders of childhood

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2012 Jun;41(2):265-82, v. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2012.04.010.

Abstract

Specific lesions of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis have been identified in humans, each of which has distinctive auxologic and biochemical features. Measures of circulating IGF-I are useful in diagnosing growth disorders in childhood and in evaluating response to GH therapy. Recombinant human IGF-I is an effective treatment of severe primary IGF deficiency, which is typical of patients with GH receptor defects (Laron syndrome). Such treatment has been limited to a few severely affected patients. Future studies will provide new insight into IGF-I as treatment and into the nature of growth disorders that involve the IGF axis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Growth Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Growth Disorders* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / blood
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Laron Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Laron Syndrome / metabolism
  • Male
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Somatomedins* / deficiency
  • Somatomedins* / genetics
  • Somatomedins* / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Somatomedins
  • myotrophin