INSULIN CORTISOL RATIO IN ADULTS WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

Dr. Shifa.K*, Dr.Parvathy K warrior, Dr. Jithesh T.K, Dr.Geetha.A,

ABSTRACT

Objective: A prospective case -control study was conducted to correlate serum insulin and cortisol levels with the birth weights of the subjects of the study. Materials and Methods: 50 normal adults of age group 17-25 were selected for the study. Detailed protocol and record were developed for each subject and relevant data were recorded. Depending on their birth weights, they were grouped into 2; group I with normal birth weights (2.5Kg and above) and group II with low birth weights (less than 2.5Kg). Fasting serum insulin and 8 AM serum cortisol were measured by direct immune enzymatic method.Statistical analysis was done. Results: Serum insulin level was found to be significantly decreased in low birth weight group. Serum cortisol was significantly higher in low birth weight adults. Conclusion: The present study shows that the insulin cortisol ratio is lower in adults who were born as low birth weight babies. So the determination of insulin cortisol ratio can be used as an index to find out the risk of development of diabetes in later life.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, low birth weight, insulin cortisol ratio.