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Fecal S100A12: identifying intestinal distress in very-low-birth-weight infants

Jan Däbritz1, Dirk Foell, Stefan Wirth

  • 1Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia. Jan.Daebritz@uni-muenster.de

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|April 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Fecal S100A12 levels are elevated in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants experiencing intestinal distress. However, its utility as an early biomarker is limited by overlapping values with healthy infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Intestinal distress is a significant concern in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.
  • Identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection is crucial for timely intervention.
  • S100A12, a damage-associated molecular pattern protein, is implicated in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if longitudinal fecal S100A12 measurements can identify VLBW infants at risk for intestinal distress.
  • To differentiate intestinal distress from necrotizing enterocolitis using fecal S100A12.
  • To assess the potential of fecal S100A12 as an early diagnostic marker.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 46 VLBW infants with intestinal distress and 49 controls.
  • Collection of meconium and stool samples every alternate day for 4 weeks.
  • Quantification of fecal S100A12 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • VLBW infants with intestinal distress had significantly lower birth weight and gestational age.
  • Fecal S100A12 levels were significantly higher in infants with intestinal distress before and at disease onset.
  • A cutoff of 60 μg/kg showed 73% sensitivity and 55% specificity for detecting distress within 7 days prior.
  • S100A12 levels normalized within 2 weeks post-onset.

Conclusions:

  • Fecal S100A12 is elevated in VLBW infants with intestinal distress.
  • The diagnostic potential of S100A12 as an early biomarker is constrained by significant overlap with reference values.
  • Further research may be needed to refine its use in clinical settings.
Abstract

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