Effects of dietary advice on insulin-like growth factors among healthy newborns

In fetal life, insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1, IGF 2 and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) 3 are essential growth factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary intervention on insulin-like growth factors in the cord blood of neonates. The study involved 52 pregnant women who were followed up in Gazi University Medical School Hospital at Ankara, Turkey. They were randomly divided into two groups: The experimental group was involved in nutrition education. We measured IGF 1, IGF 2 and IGFBP 3 concentrations in cord blood from 52 neonates. In the experimental group, cord serum levels of IGF 1, IGF 2 were observed to be higher than that of control group. Dietary advice had positive effects on the cord serum IGF 1 and IGF 2 concentrations. Dietary advice during pregnancy proved to be effective in fetal development.