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Faecal calprotectin in term and preterm neonates
Nathalie Kapel1, Florence Campeotto, Nicolas Kalach
1Coprologie Fonctionnelle, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|September 7, 2010
Summary
Faecal calprotectin levels are significantly higher in healthy neonates. This noninvasive assay shows promise for screening intestinal illnesses in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Biomarker research
Background:
- Faecal calprotectin is an established marker for intestinal inflammation in adults and children.
- Its utility in the neonatal population requires specific characterization due to physiological differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of the faecal calprotectin assay in neonates.
- To evaluate the evidence for its use as a noninvasive marker of neonatal intestinal illnesses.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE database up to February 2010.
- Inclusion of studies involving "infants" or "neonates" and "calprotectin" in all fields.
- Selection of 20 studies encompassing 1180 neonates.
Main Results:
- Neonates (full-term and preterm) exhibit significantly higher faecal calprotectin levels than children and adults.
- Elevated levels correlate with intestinal distress, including inflammatory or patent digestive alterations.
- No significant differences were found based on gestational age or birth weight.
Conclusions:
- Healthy neonates naturally have higher faecal calprotectin levels compared to older age groups.
- Faecal calprotectin measurement is a promising noninvasive screening tool for detecting intestinal distress in neonates.
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