Objectives: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: In the experimental group, cord serum levels of IGF 1, IGF 2 were observed to be higher than that of control group.
Conclusion: 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.
Keywords: Anthropometry; Dietary advice; Insulin-like growth factors; Newborns; Pregnancy.