The proposed role of insulin-like growth factor-1 in autism: A review

Introduction Several lines of research support the hypothesised connection between the level of insulin-like growth factor-1 in the foetus and neonate and the potential of autistic characteristics appearing in the first 2 or 3 years of life. This model could account for the dominance of male over female occurrence, the relationship to maternal antepartum infection and the potential benefit of breast-feeding in preventing or reducing the psychoneurologic manifestations of autism. Conclusion The level of insulin-like growth factor, especially in cases of insulin-like growth factor gene polymorphism, could determine the likelihood in new-bornsthat they may subsequently exhibit the characteristics of infantile autism. Such suppression of IGF could also serve as a biomarker to aid in the diagnosis of autism.