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Delivery and feeding mode affects fecal calprotectin levels in infants <7months old
Yoo Mi Lee1, Chae-Yeon Min1, You Jin Choi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea.
Insights
Fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in infants under 6 months are higher than in older children. Breast milk feeding and vaginal birth are associated with elevated FC levels in healthy infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Elevated fecal calprotectin (FC) indicates intestinal inflammation but varies in healthy infants.
- Understanding factors influencing FC in infants is crucial for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors affecting fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in healthy infants aged 0-6 months.
- To investigate the impact of age, feeding mode, and delivery mode on infant FC levels.
Main Methods:
- 133 healthy infants (0-6 months) from Korean day care centers were recruited.
- Stool samples analyzed via immunosorbent assay; clinical data collected via questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis performed to determine factors influencing FC levels.
Main Results:
- Mean FC concentration was 237.40μg/g, decreasing significantly with age.
- Infants fed breast milk had higher FC (354.67μg/g) than formula-fed (149.44μg/g).
- Infants born via normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD) had higher FC (319.69μg/g) than C-section (130.97μg/g).
Conclusions:
- Infant FC levels decrease with age and are higher than in older children.
- Breast milk feeding and NSVD are associated with higher FC levels in infants <7 months.
- Delivery mode impacts FC levels regardless of feeding method in early infancy.
Background:
Elevated fecal calprotectin (FC) is a non-invasive marker of inflammation indicating bowel disease. However, healthy infants have displayed high FC levels, with large variation. We sought to determine what factors might affect FC levels in children <6months old.
Methods:
We recruited 133 healthy infants aged 0-6months from four Korean day care centers. Stool samples were analyzed by immunosorbent assay. All infants completed a questionnaire related to clinical characteristics including birth and feeding history.
Results:
The mean FC concentration of all of participants was 237.40μg/g (range 11.5-1330.6μg/g). FC levels between 0 and 6months reduced with increasing age and the differences were statistically significant. The mean FC value according to feeding mode was 354.67μg/g for those fed breast milk and 149.44μg/g for those fed formula milk (p<0.001). Mean FC values were 319.69μg/g vs. 130.97μg/g for normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD) vs. caesarean section births, respectively (p<0.001). In addition, delivery mode affected the FC level at 0-6months regardless of feeding mode.
Conclusion:
The FC levels of infants aged 0-6months reduced with age and were higher than the normal levels observed in healthy older infants. The FC value at <7months was higher in infants who were fed breast milk and born by NSVD.