Abstract: Objective To explore the value of serum insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)in diagnosis of children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).Methods 36 ISS and 50 normal children were collected and divided into preadolescent group and adolescent group respectively.Serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were detected by chemiluminescence analysis.Results There were significant positive correlations between age and the serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3(r =0.435,r =0.718,P <0.01)in both groups.The concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in adolescent group were significantly higher than those in preadolescent group,and the concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in ISS group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P <0.01).Conclusion The detections of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 have a great value in the diagnose,growth monitoring and the treatment with GH for children with ISS.