Insulin Growth Factor-I in Protein-Energy Malnutrition during Rehabilitation in Two Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the relationship between IGF-I and the nutritional status of West-African children hospitalised for nutritional rehabilitation. Patients and methods. A cohort study was performed in two centres for nutritional rehabilitation and education (CREN) in Burkina Faso. Children were followed and the anthropometric data as well as the capillary blood samples were taken on the 7th and on the 14th days after their admission. IGF-I levels were determined from dried blood spots on filter paper on IGF-I RIA, after separation of the IGF-I from its binding proteins, using Sep-Pak chromatography. Results. A total of 59 children was included in the cohort. The IGF-I mean geometric values (SD) were 6.3 (1.4) μg/L on admission, 8.6 (1.8) μg/L at day 7 and 13.6 (2.0) μg/L at day 14. The differences between these values were statistically significant (P < .001). There is a significant correlation between the changes of IGF-I with the change of weight for height Z-score (P = .01). Conclusion. These results suggest that IGF-I can be considered as a potential marker to follow the nutritional status of children admitted in hospital for protein and energy malnutrition.

IGF1 levels in children with severe acute malnutrition after nutritional recovery: A good predictor for children’s long-term health status

“…The findings are consistent with those of previous studies that observed the low levels of IGF1 in hospitalized children suffering from protein and energy malnutrition; the values were even lower in marasmus than in kwashiorkor children [4]. After the nutritional rehabilitation, IGF1 increased significantly in both children with kwashiorkor and marasmus but the values were still lower than in healthy children 14 days post-treatment [4]. Moreover, low levels of IGF1 in early life is known to be associated with late risk of NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases), particularly diabetes [2].…”

“…The stunted SAM survivors had even lower circulating IGF1 levels than other stunted children from similar low socio-economic communities [2]. The findings are consistent with those of previous studies that observed the low levels of IGF1 in hospitalized children suffering from protein and energy malnutrition; the values were even lower in marasmus than in kwashiorkor children [4]. After the nutritional rehabilitation, IGF1 increased significantly in both children with kwashiorkor and marasmus but the values were still lower than in healthy children 14 days post-treatment [4].…”

Insulin-Like Growth Factors, Nutrition and Growth

“…Protein intake, particularly including essential amino acids, will only result in induction of an anabolic state when energy intake is adequate [18]. Similar experience was demonstrated in malnourished children in Burkina Faso [19]. Fifty nine children aged less than 3 years were hospitalised for nutritional rehabilitation, of whom 55 had marasmus, 2 kwashiorkor and 2 marasmus and kwashiorkor.…”

Suboptimal refeeding compensates stunting in a mouse model of juvenile malnutrition

“…Indeed, several studies have shown that malnourished mice are more susceptible to infection, thus mimicking one of the hallmarks of human malnutrition (20,21). Furthermore, nutritional rehabilitation after kwashiorkor results in increased IGF-1 levels, but the values are lower than in healthy children (32). In our mouse model, IGF-1 levels are fully restored by nutritional rehabilitation, suggesting that mice are more resilient than humans to early-life nutritional stress.…”