Normal values for calprotectin in stool samples of infants from the population-based longitudinal born into life...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Clinical Chemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Faecal calprotectin is a key biomarker for diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
• Establishing age-specific normal reference ranges is crucial for accurate interpretation of faecal calprotectin levels in children.
• Previous methods, like ELISA, were time-consuming and less adaptable for single-sample analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the upper limits of normal faecal calprotectin values in a cohort of Swedish children at neonatal, 6, 12, and 24 months of age.
• To evaluate the utility of a turbidimetric immunoassay for rapid faecal calprotectin measurement in infants.
• To provide updated reference ranges for pediatric faecal calprotectin testing.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of Swedish children (n=246) provided fecal samples at four age points: neonatal, 6, 12, and 24 months.
• Faecal calprotectin levels were quantified using a turbidimetric immunoassay.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine the upper limits for normal values at each age group.

Main Results:

• The determined upper limits for normal faecal calprotectin values were 233 µg/mg for neonates, 615 µg/mg for 6-month-olds, 136 µg/mg for 12-month-olds, and 57 µg/mg for 24-month-olds.
• The turbidimetric immunoassay demonstrated efficiency in measuring single samples, significantly reducing analysis time compared to ELISA.
• Reference ranges showed considerable variation across the studied age groups.

Conclusions:

• This study provides essential, age-specific upper normal limits for faecal calprotectin in Swedish children up to 24 months.
• The turbidimetric immunoassay is a suitable and efficient method for pediatric faecal calprotectin testing, aiding in faster diagnosis of IBD.
• These findings contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy for gastrointestinal conditions in infants and young children.