Potential role of IGF-1 z score to predict permanent linear growth impairment in children with IBD

In this pilot study, we analyzed serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-And IGF-binding protein-3-for-Age z scores from 54 inflammatory bowel disease children with no, temporary, or permanent growth impairment. Although our findings did not reach statistical significance, patients with permanent linear growth impairment had lower IGF-1-for-Age z scores (-1.76 [-2.25 to-0.43]) compared with those with no or temporary growth impairment (-0.84 [-1.49 to-0.3]) and-1.16 [-1.59 to-1.51], respectively). IGF-binding protein-3 levels were similar across the 3 groups. In the absence of significant inflammation and malnutrition, lower IGF-1-for-Age z scores may help distinguish patients likely to have permanent growth impairment from those whose growth impairment is likely to be temporary.