Biomarkers of necrotising enterocolitis

Different categories of biomarkers of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), including (i) non-specific mediators of the inflammatory cascade, e.g. acute phase reactants, chemokines, cytokines, and cell surface antigens, (ii) enhanced non-specific biomarkers, and (iii) specific gut-associated proteins, have distinctive biochemical characteristics and properties. The appropriateness of using these mediators in specific clinical situations, and the pros and cons of their applications as indicators or predictors of intestinal injury and NEC are highlighted. Many potentially new biomarkers such as micro-RNA, volatile organic compounds and gut microbiomes are currently under investigation. A stringent protocol for biomarker discovery is revealed so that investigators can consider this methodology as a reference for future discovery of organ-specific and/or disease-specific biomarkers for preterm infants.