OBJECTIVETo identify the changes in serum insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and the effect of glucocorticoid on serum IGF-I and IGFBPs.

METHODSWe measured serum IGF-I and IGFBPs levels by radioimmune assay and immune radiomagnetic assay in 36 children with NS, consisting of an active stage group (ANS, n = 12), a remission stage group (RE, n = 12), an active stage group with glucocorticoid treatment (GNS, n = 12), and a normal control group (NC, n = 10).

RESULTS1) Compared to NC, serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were decreased (P < 0.01); serum levels of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 were increased (P < 0.01) in the ANS group. 2) Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were higher and IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 were lower in the RE Group than in theANS Group (P < 0.01). 3) Compared to the ANS group, serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were increased (P < 0.01) and serum levels of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 were decreased (P < 0.01) in the GNS group. 4) A correlation was found between serum levels of IGFBP-3 and albumin in the active stage group (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). There was also a correlation between serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and an inverse correlation between the serum level of IGF-I and serum levels of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 in the ANS group. No other correlations were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBPs are altered in children in the active stage of NS, but return to normal in the remission stage. GC treatment may influence serum IGF-I and IGFBPs in children with NS. Changes in IGF-I and IGFBPs levels may play a role in the growth retardation of NS children.