The correlation between birth weight and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1), and three-dimensional fetal volume

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between birth weight, and maternal serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1) levels, and first-trimester fetal volume (FV) based on three-dimensional ultrasonography.

Materials and methods: The study included 142 pregnant women at gestational week 11°–13⁶. All fetuses were imaged ultrasonographically by the same physician. Maternal blood samples were collected at the time of ultrasonographic evaluation and analyzed for IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Maternal and neonatal weights were recorded at birth. Birth weight ≤10th and the >90th percentiles was defined as small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA), respectively.

Results: Median crown-rump length (CRL), FV, and maternal serum IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels were 58.2 mm (35.3–79.2 mm), 16.3 cm³ (3.8–34.4 cm³), 68.1 ng mL⁻¹ (3.8–377.9 mL⁻¹), and 99.7 ng L⁻¹ (42.1–965.3 ng L⁻¹), respectively. First-trimester IGFBP-1 levels were significantly lower in the mothers with LGA neonates (p < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between CRL and FV, and between the IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels. IGFBP-1 levels and maternal weight at delivery were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight. There was no correlation between CRL or FV and maternal IGFBP-1 or KISS1 levels (p > .05). The maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester was a significant independent factor for SGA and LGA neonates (Odds ratio (OR): 0.011, 95%CI: 1.005–1.018, p < .001; and OR: 1.297, 95%CI: 1.074–1.566, p = .007, respectively). There was no significant relationship between SGA or LGA, and CRL, FV, or the KISS-1 level.

Conclusions: As compared to the maternal KISS-1 level, the maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester might be a better biomarker of fetal growth. Additional larger scale studies are needed to further delineate the utility of IGFBP-1 as a marker of abnormal birth weight.

Keywords:

• Birth weight
• fetal volume
• insulin-like growth factor-binding protein
• kisspeptin
• ultrasonography

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interest. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.