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Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 as an indicator of nutrition during treatment of adolescent girls with eating disorders
Author(s) -
Swenne Ingemar,
Stridsberg Mats,
Thurfjell Barbro,
Rosling Agneta
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00400.x
Subject(s) - medicine , weight loss , insulin like growth factor , body mass index , insulin , body weight , endocrinology , weight gain , obesity , growth factor , receptor
Aim: The use of serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentrations as an index of nutrition has been analysed in teenage girls with eating disorders and weight loss. Method: Blood samples for analysis of IGF‐1 were obtained at 349 assessments of 302 patients and biweekly during 56 treatment periods in 46 patients. IGF‐1 was related to body size, weight loss, degree of leanness (BMI standard deviation score) and rate of weight loss. Results: At assessment, when most of the girls were on a weight‐losing course, serum IGF‐1 concentrations were low. Weight loss immediately prior to assessment was the most important predictor of IGF‐1. Together with measurements of weight, height, weight loss and BMI standard deviation score the rate of weight loss predicted IGF‐1 to 32–55%. During treatment when there was net weight gain, IGF‐1 increased in parallel with the BMI standard deviation score, a measure of leanness, and was also influenced by the short‐term weight trend. Conclusion: The serum IGF‐1 concentration is an indicator of nutritional status in adolescents with eating disorders. It is sensitive to short‐term weight changes measured in a clinical setting and could be used at assessment and to monitor nutritional rehabilitation.