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Epidermal growth factor in neonatal saliva
A Gupta1, K Lakhoo, N Pritchard
1Neonatal Unit, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe, Oxford, United Kingdom. amit.gupta@doctors.org.uk
Summary
Salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels rise in healthy infants. This study establishes normal salivary EGF ranges for neonatal infants, crucial for understanding mucosal healing and growth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) promotes mucosal healing and intestinal growth.
- EGF may play a role in the development and treatment of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in healthy neonatal infants.
- Establish baseline EGF values for future research in neonatal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples collected from healthy neonates over 9 months.
- Analyzed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
- Excluded infants with sepsis, congenital malformations, or chromosomal anomalies.
Main Results:
- Analyzed 65 samples from 27 healthy infants (mean gestation 32.2 weeks).
- Mean salivary EGF was 676.95 pg/ml.
- Significant rise in serial salivary EGF values observed (p=0.0019).
- No correlation found with gestation, birth weight, sex, or feeding initiation.
Conclusions:
- Healthy infants show a rise in salivary EGF levels over time.
- This study provides normative data for salivary EGF in neonates.
