Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Body Mass Index and Calprotectin Blood Level Correlation in Healthy Children: An Individual Patient Data
Anais Grand1,2, Emmanuelle Rochette1,2, Frederic Dutheil3
1Department of Pediatrics, Clermont Ferrand University Hospital, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to higher calprotectin levels. This study found a positive correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score and calprotectin in healthy children, regardless of age or sex.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Inflammation Biomarkers
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Calprotectin (CP) is implicated in inflammatory diseases.
- Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and elevated CP.
- The relationship between BMI and CP in healthy children remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and calprotectin (CP) levels in healthy children.
- To explore potential correlations between CP and anthropometric measures in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched PubMed and Cochrane Library databases up to July 2019.
- Extracted and analyzed blood calprotectin values from studies on healthy children.
Main Results:
- Six studies involving 593 healthy children were analyzed.
- Median calprotectin level was 900.0 (482.0; 1700) ng·mL-1.
- A significant positive correlation was found between BMI z-score and CP in both boys and girls (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Calprotectin blood levels correlate with adiposity in healthy children.
- Age, sex, and sample type (serum vs. plasma) did not significantly affect CP levels.
Background:
Calprotectin (CP) is a protein complex involved in many inflammatory diseases. Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation and elevated circulating levels of calprotectin. However, associations between body mass index (BMI) and calprotectin levels have not been explored in otherwise healthy children.
Methods:
In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched PubMed and Cochrane Library database up to July 2019. Healthy children's blood calprotectin values were extracted, and potential correlations were explored.
Results:
A total of six studies that included data on 593 healthy children were identified. Median calprotectin value was 900.0 (482.0; 1700) ng·mL-1. Multivariable analysis showed no significant associations with age, sample type (serum vs. plasma), or sex. In contrast, a significant effect of BMI z-score (p < 0.001) emerged. Indeed, a positive correlation between BMI z-score and CP, was detected in girls (R: 0.48; p < 0.001) and boys (R: 0.39; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Calprotectin blood levels correlate with the degree of adiposity in healthy children, but are not affected by age, sex, or sample type (serum or plasma).

