Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Murine Endoscopy for In Vivo Multimodal Imaging of Carcinogenesis and Assessment of Intestinal Wound Healing and Inflammation
Published on: August 26, 2014
Avoid Endoscopy in Children With Suspected Inflammatory Bowel Disease Who Have Normal Calprotectin Levels
Anke Heida1, Gea A Holtman, Yvonne Lisman-van Leeuwen
1*Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology †Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Insights
Fecal calprotectin testing in children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) did not improve diagnostic yield. However, normal levels (<50 μg/g) suggest avoiding endoscopy, as abnormalities were not observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis in children requires differentiating organic from non-organic conditions.
- Fecal calprotectin stool testing is a recommended screening tool for suspected pediatric IBD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if adding fecal calprotectin testing improves the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in children with suspected IBD.
- To assess the utility of normal fecal calprotectin levels in guiding endoscopic decisions.
Main Methods:
- Cohort study utilizing historical controls.
- Analysis of diagnostic yield, defined as the ratio of IBD-positive endoscopies to total endoscopies.
- Correlation of fecal calprotectin levels with endoscopic and histological findings.
Main Results:
- Screening with fecal calprotectin did not significantly improve the diagnostic yield of IBD.
- No endoscopic or histological abnormalities were detected in patients with normal fecal calprotectin levels (<50 μg/g).
Conclusions:
- Current screening strategies using fecal calprotectin may not enhance diagnostic yield in pediatric IBD.
- Normal fecal calprotectin levels (<50 μg/g) can potentially identify children who may not require endoscopy.
Abstract:
In children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease, adding calprotectin stool testing to the screening strategy has been recommended to distinguish organic from nonorganic disease. In this cohort study with historical controls, we could not confirm that screening with stool calprotectin improves the diagnostic yield (ratio inflammatory bowel disease-positive endoscopies and total number of endoscopies); however, in patients with normal fecal calprotectin levels (<50 μg/g) endoscopic and histological abnormalities were not seen. We propose to refrain from endoscopy when stool calprotectin levels are normal.
More Related Videos
05:45Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.5
Published on: April 26, 2019
15:49Flexible Colonoscopy in Mice to Evaluate the Severity of Colitis and Colorectal Tumors Using a Validated Endoscopic Scoring System
Published on: October 16, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:28Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy