IGF1 and helminthiasis: When using PCR to detect helminth infection, we found a significantly lower serum free IGF-1 among STH-infected compared to uninfected subjects [− 0.090 (− 0.132; − 0.048), P < 0.001] and this did not change following adjustment with age and sex [− 0.89 (− 0.125; − 0.053), P < 0.001].