Insulin-like growth factor 1 has multisystem effects on fetal and preterm infant development.
Poor postnatal growth after preterm birth does not match the normal rapid growth in utero and is associated with preterm morbidities. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is the major hormonal mediator of growth in utero and levels of IGF-1 are often very low after preterm birth. We reviewed the role of IGF-1 in fetal development and the corresponding preterm perinatal period to highlight the
