Objective: This study aimed to compare serum levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 in children with malnutrition and good nutritional status.
Method: This cross-sectional study included 41 participants consisting of 31 malnourished, 10 well-nourished children aged between 36 and 60 months. Demographic data of participants were obtained utilizing a questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by calculating the Z-score of body weight for age, height for age, and body weight for height indices using the WHO classification. IGFBP-3 levels were determined by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.
Result: Median serum IGFBP-3 levels in malnourished children were found to be lower i.e. 0.35mcg/mL (minimum-maximum: 0.04-1.52mcg/mL) compared to well-nourished children 1.52ng/mL (minimum-maximum 0.47-3.17mcg/mL).
Conclusion: Serum IGFBP-3 levels can be used as indicators to assess nutritional status.
Keywords: IGFBP-3; Malnutrition; Toddlers aged 36–60 months.
Copyright © 2021 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.