Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Faecal calprotectin in children with clinically quiescent inflammatory bowel disease
Taina Sipponen1, Kaija-Leena Kolho
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Faecal calprotectin levels in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during remission are not always indicative of a future flare-up. However, low levels suggest a higher likelihood of remaining in remission for the following year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
- Biomarker Analysis
Background:
- Faecal calprotectin is an emerging marker for intestinal inflammation.
- Data on faecal calprotectin in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during maintenance therapy are limited.
- Understanding faecal calprotectin's role in quiescent pediatric IBD is crucial for monitoring disease activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess faecal calprotectin levels in pediatric IBD patients during clinical remission.
- To determine if elevated faecal calprotectin levels predict disease flare-ups in this population.
- To investigate the association between faecal calprotectin and clinical status in pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Faecal calprotectin was measured in 72 children with pediatric IBD in clinical remission (median age 13 years).
- Patients were categorized by duration of remission (e.g., >1 year, 6-12 months, 3-<6 months).
- Clinical outcomes, including relapse, were monitored for up to 12 months.
Main Results:
- 35% of children had normal faecal calprotectin (<100 microg/g) and 13% had very high levels (>1000 microg/g) while asymptomatic.
- A clinical relapse occurred in 35% of patients within 12 months.
- The predictive value of faecal calprotectin for relapse was low (0.396-0.429 for levels >100 or >1000 microg/g), but the negative predictive value was 0.75 for levels <100 microg/g.
Conclusions:
- Subjective symptoms and clinical assessments correlate poorly with faecal calprotectin levels in pediatric IBD.
- Low faecal calprotectin levels in clinically quiescent pediatric IBD indicate a high probability of remaining in remission for the subsequent year.
- Faecal calprotectin monitoring may be useful, particularly for ruling out active inflammation in asymptomatic children with IBD on maintenance therapy.
Objective:
The use of faecal calprotectin as a surrogate marker for intestinal inflammation is emerging. However, the data on faecal calprotectin during maintenance therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, are sparse. Our aim was to study faecal calprotectin levels in paediatric IBD during clinically quiescent disease and to investigate if high levels were associated with a flare-up of the disease.
Subjects And Methods:
Faecal calprotectin level was measured in 72 children with paediatric IBD in clinical remission (median age 13 years). Of these, 37 children had been in clinical remission for more than a year, 20 for 6-12 months and 15 for 3 to <6 months. The clinical outcome of the patients was followed up to the first relapse or up to 12 months.
Results:
When in clinical remission, 35% (25/72) of the children had normal faecal calprotectin (<100 microg/g) and 13% (9/72) a very high level (>1000 microg/g) while not reporting symptoms. A clinical relapse occurred in 35% (25/72) during the subsequent 12 months. When in clinical remission, the predictive value of faecal calprotectin for an overt relapse was low ranging from 0.396 to 0.429 for faecal calprotectin values >100 microg/g or >1000 microg/g, respectively. The negative predictive value was 0.75 for values <100 microg/g.
Conclusions:
In paediatric IBD, subjective symptoms and clinical assessment associate poorly with the levels of faecal calprotectin. During maintenance medication in colonic disease, the probability of staying in clinical remission for a subsequent year is high if faecal calprotectin value is low.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: