Levels of insulin-like growth factors and their receptors in placenta in relation to macrosomia

Objective: To investigate the associations between mRNA levels that encodes for insulin-like growth factors (IGF(S)) and their receptors in term placenta, and the risk of macrosomia. Methods: Term placentas were collected from 37 neonates with macrosomia and 37 neonates with normal birth weight in Changzhou Women and Children Health Hospital from March I to June 30, 2008. The IGF mRNA levels and their receptors in those placentas were measured by Real-time PCR. Results: The placental weight was positively correlated with the birth weight both in the macrosomia group (r=0.550, p=0.004) and the control group (r=0.678, p=0.000). After adjusting for potential confounders, multivariable adjusted ORs of neonates with macrosomia for those in the increasing two tertiles were 17.3 (95%CI: 2.50-19.2) and 5.94 (95%CI: 0.96, 36.8), respectively, compared with those in the lowest tertile in terms of IGF-II mRNA level. Similarly, multivariable adjusted ORs of neonates with macrosomia for those in the increasing two tertiles of IGF- I R mRNA were 25.3 (95%CI: 3.43-187) and 43.0 (95%CI: 4.89, 378), respectively. Conclusion: These results indicate that the levels of placental IGF- II and IGF- I R mRNA may be involved in the development of macrosomia.