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Fecal calprotectin levels in preterm infants with and without feeding intolerance
Rehab Moussa1, Abdelmoneim Khashana2, Noha Kamel3
1Suez Canal University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Ismailia, Egypt.
Insights
Fecal calprotectin is elevated in preterm neonates with feeding intolerance. This marker shows potential for early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Gastroenterology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Feeding intolerance is a common complication in preterm neonates.
- Early detection of feeding intolerance and related conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis is crucial for infant outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess fecal calprotectin levels in preterm neonates with feeding intolerance.
- To evaluate fecal calprotectin as a marker for feeding intolerance.
- To determine a diagnostic cut-off level for fecal calprotectin in feeding intolerance.
Main Methods:
- An analytical, multicenter, case-control study was conducted in Egyptian neonatal intensive care units.
- 52 preterm neonates were divided into a study group (26 with feeding intolerance) and a control group (26).
- Fecal calprotectin levels were measured and correlated with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in neonates with feeding intolerance (334.3±236.6μg/g) compared to controls (42.0±38.2μg/g).
- A significant inverse correlation was found between fecal calprotectin and birth weight, and a correlation with breastfeeding duration.
- A cut-off level of 67.0μg/g demonstrated 100.0% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity for feeding intolerance.
Conclusions:
- Fecal calprotectin levels are significantly elevated in preterm neonates experiencing feeding intolerance.
- Fecal calprotectin may serve as an early indicator for necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates.
- Further research with larger patient cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings.
Objectives:
To assess the level of fecal calprotectin in preterm neonates with feeding intolerance, as well as to evaluate it as a marker of feeding intolerance and to determine a cut-off level of fecal calprotectin in feeding intolerance.
Methods:
Analytical, multicenter, case-control study, which was carried out in neonatal intensive care units in Egypt, in a period from August 1, 2014 to March 1, 2015 on 52 preterm neonates. Neonates were classified into two groups; a study group including 26 neonates who met inclusion criteria and a control group including 26 neonates for comparison.
Results:
Fecal calprotectin levels ranged from 3.9μg/g to 971.8μg/g, and there was a significant increase in fecal calprotectin in the study group when compared to the control group (334.3±236.6μg/g vs. 42.0±38.2μg/g, respectively) with moderate inverse significant correlation between fecal calprotectin and birth weight. Furthermore, there was moderate, significant correlation between fecal calprotectin and duration of breastfeeding range. On the other hand, there was no correlation between fecal calprotectin and post-natal age, gestational age, or volume of feeding. A cut-off at the 67.0μg/g level, with 100.0% sensitivity and 76.9% specificity, was considered.
Conclusion:
Fecal calprotectin level increased significantly in neonates with feeding intolerance; it can be used to detect early cases with necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates, but this subject still needs more investigations on more patients.
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