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 (IGFS) 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 1 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-IImRNA level. Similarly, multivariable adjusted ORs of neonates with macrosomia for those in the increasing two tertiles of IGF-IR 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-IIand IGF-IR mRNA may be involved in the development of macrosomia.