Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 Reference Values from a Chemiluminescent Assay in Normal Children and Adolescents of Hispanic and Italian Origin: Presence of Sexual Dimorphism in IGF-I Values

Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 assays are used to monitor rhGH treatment. Some discrepancies in results obtained by means of different assays have been reported. The aim of this study was to establish normal ranges for circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in children and adolescents of Hispanic and Italian origin. Circulating levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured in 169 Hispanic and Italian prepubertal children and 66 adolescents of both sexes, using a chemiluminescent assay. Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 increased from early childhood into adolescence. After pubertal peaks of IGF-I and IGFBP-3, slight decreases were observed with increasing age. Furthermore, serum IGF-I levels were significantly higher in girls than in boys, suggesting a sexual dimorphism in serum IGF-I values in late prepuberty and early puberty. Differences in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 absolute values between our study and previous studies suggest the need to establish reference ranges for each ethnic group.