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Background: Reaven proposed a syndrome (syndrome X), consisting of glucose intolerance, hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, as a clinical entity. The fundamental metabolic defect of this syndrome was recognized as insulin resistance, but the pathophysiology of insulin resistance is not clarified as of yet. Recent evidence, suggests that non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) ancl lipid and cardiovascular abnormalities-syndrome X-are associated with intrauterine growth retar- dation (IUGR). Recently Shin reported that the amounts of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in a given amount of genomic DNA were lower in NIDDM patients than in healthy controls, and the amount of mtDNA is negatively correlated with blood pressure ancl waist-hip ratio. Birth weight is known to be correlated with levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation of low birth weight with reduced mtDNA and syndrome X. We investigated the relationship of birth weight to IGFs and the amount of mtDNA Methods: 72 singleton pregnancy babies and their mathers admitted in Seoul National University Hospital from March to May, 1997 were studied. After delivery, the cord blcxxl and maternal venous blood sampling was done. Using the imnnmoradiometric assay (IRMA) the IGF-l, IGF-2, IGFBP-3 was measured from cord and maternal plasma. Among them only 27 pairs samples were measured mtDNA amount with competitive PCR method in their buffy coat. Then statistical analysis was done within these paratneters. Results: Birth weight is correlated significantly with cord plasma IGF-1 (r=0.32, p<0.01), IGFBP-3 (r=0.44, p<0.01), prepregnancy maternal body weight (r=0.45, p<0.01), maternal mtDNA amount (r=0.63, p<0.01). Cord blood mtDNA is correlated with maternal mtDNA amount (r=0.55, p<0,01). In multiple regression analysis, the maternal mtDNA was found to be the only independent factor related to birth weight (p<0.01). Cobclusion: We have found the correlation between birth weight and maternal prepregnancy body weight and mtDNA amount. The clinical implications of this result remain yet to be deiermined.