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Diminished epidermal growth factor levels in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
C E Shin1, R A Falcone, L Stuart
1Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH 45229-3039, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|February 29, 2000
Summary
Premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have significantly lower levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in saliva and serum. Reduced EGF may indicate NEC risk and contribute to the condition's intestinal barrier disruption.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) supports intestinal mucosa health.
- Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) involves intestinal mucosal barrier disruption.
- EGF's role in NEC pathogenesis is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- To determine if diminished EGF is associated with NEC development in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Collected saliva, serum, and urine from NEC infants and controls.
- Utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure EGF levels.
- Employed Mann-Whitney Rank sum test for statistical comparison (P < .05).
Main Results:
- Infants with NEC showed significantly lower salivary EGF (239+/-41 pg/mL) compared to controls (590+/-80 pg/mL; P<.001).
- Serum EGF levels were also significantly reduced in NEC infants (5.6+/-1.9 pg/mL) versus controls (35+/-8 pg/mL; P<.001).
- Urinary EGF was lower in the NEC group but did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants with NEC exhibit markedly diminished salivary and serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels.
- Reduced EGF may serve as a biomarker for identifying infants at risk of NEC.
- Decreased EGF could play a crucial role in the compromised intestinal mucosal barrier characteristic of NEC.