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A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Necrotizing enterocolitis is associated with neonatal intestinal injury
Kristyn Mannoia1, Danilo S Boskovic, Laurel Slater
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|January 18, 2011
Summary
Premature infants with elevated urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP(u)) show subclinical intestinal injury. This marker may help identify high-risk newborns for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and guide preventive care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Gastroenterology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition affecting premature infants.
- Subclinical intestinal injury may precede NEC development.
- Early identification of at-risk infants is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that subclinical intestinal mucosal compromise predisposes premature newborns to NEC.
- To assess the utility of urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP(u)) as a marker for intestinal injury in neonates.
- To determine if elevated iFABP(u) is associated with the subsequent development of NEC.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-five premature newborns (23-36 weeks gestational age) were enrolled.
- Urine samples were collected within the first 90 hours of life.
- Urinary iFABP(u) concentrations were measured; NEC diagnosis was based on clinical, pathological, and/or imaging findings.
Main Results:
- Elevated neonatal iFABP(u) (>800 pg/mL) was observed in 27 infants.
- All 9 infants who developed stage 2 or 3 NEC had elevated iFABP(u).
- Increased iFABP(u) levels, unlike asphyxia, were significantly associated with NEC development (P < .01).
Conclusions:
- A significant incidence of intestinal mucosal compromise was found in premature infants.
- Elevated neonatal iFABP(u) was consistently observed in infants who later developed NEC.
- Neonatal iFABP(u) may serve as a valuable tool for identifying high-risk infants and enabling targeted preventive strategies for NEC.
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