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Effect of necrotizing enterocolitis on urinary epidermal growth factor levels
S M Scott1, C Rogers, P Angelus
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of New Mexico, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131.
Insights
Urinary epidermal growth factor/creatinine levels significantly increase in infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. This biomarker may help differentiate disease stages in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Biomarker discovery
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal emergency in neonates.
- Early diagnosis and staging of NEC are critical for effective management.
- Urinary epidermal growth factor (uEGF) is a potential biomarker for gastrointestinal injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate urinary epidermal growth factor/creatinine (uEGF/Cr) levels in infants with NEC.
- To determine if uEGF/Cr levels can differentiate NEC stages.
- To explore the relationship between uEGF/Cr levels and NEC severity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of urinary uEGF/Cr levels in 75 infants.
- Comparison of uEGF/Cr levels at NEC diagnosis versus baseline.
- Inclusion of infants with confirmed NEC and those without for control.
Main Results:
- A consistent and significant increase in uEGF/Cr was observed at NEC diagnosis.
- uEGF/Cr levels remained unchanged in infants without NEC and during early nutrition.
- Elevated uEGF/Cr levels showed potential in distinguishing between NEC stages II/III and stage I.
Conclusions:
- Urinary EGF/Cr levels serve as a sensitive indicator for NEC.
- uEGF/Cr may aid in differentiating NEC stages, potentially improving clinical decision-making.
- Increased uEGF/Cr levels are likely linked to gastrointestinal tissue damage and repair processes in NEC.
Abstract:
The pattern of urinary epidermal growth factor/creatinine levels in necrotizing enterocolitis was examined in 75 infants (in 28 infants the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis was considered; 47 infants were studied for effect of surgery or nutrition on epidermal growth factor levels). There was a consistent and significant increase in epidermal growth factor/creatinine values at the time of diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis compared with baseline values. Epidermal growth factor levels in infants without necrotizing enterocolitis and in early nutrition remained unchanged. These results suggested that urinary epidermal growth factor/creatinine levels may differentiate stage II and III necrotizing enterocolitis from stage I disease. The increased epidermal growth factor/creatinine levels may be related to the absorption into the circulation of preexisting gastrointestinal tract epidermal growth factor through damaged tissue or to increased synthesis by the gastrointestinal tract in response to the injury caused by necrotizing enterocolitis.