Background: The maternal insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is considered to be involved in fetal growth regulation. However, available data linking this system to fetal growth are contradictory and incomplete.

Aims: To measure components of the IGF system before, during and after pregnancy in healthy women and to relate these results, and their changes during pregnancy, to fetal weight (gestational week 31) and birth weight.

Methods: Serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-3 protease activity were assessed in 23 women before conception, at weeks 8, 14, 20, 32 and 35 of pregnancy and 2 weeks postpartum. The data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression.

Results: One third of the variability in fetal weight was explained by IGF-I in combination with IGFBP-3 protease activity, both assessed at gestational week 32 (p = 0.013). Birth weight was negatively correlated (r = –0.43 to –0.59) with IGFBP-1 at gestational week 20 (p = 0.041), 32 (p = 0.012) and 35 (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: We propose there is a finely tuned balance among the components of the IGF system, providing a means for fetal growth regulation.