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Updated: Aug 4, 2025
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Reduction of absolute monocyte counts is associated with the severity of preterm necrotizing enterocolitis
Zhiru Wang1, Qingqi Chong1, Junmei Zhou2
1Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is characterized by a rich infiltration of macrophages in the intestines, which is derived from monocytes in the blood. The authors aimed to explore the changing trend of absolute monocyte counts (AMC) over time in NEC infants and to verify whether the reduction of AMC correlates with the severity of NEC and whether it can be used to identify infants who need surgery.
Method:
The authors collected the clinical data of 66 control and 222 NEC infants. The NEC infants were divided into medical NEC (M-NEC) and surgical NEC (S-NEC). The counting of monocyte and their percentage change were compared at the time of birth, before NEC (baseline), the onset of NEC and after NEC (recovery). In addition, the same comparison was made among stages 1, 2 and 3 of Bell's staging, respectively.
Results:
The authors found that the AMC in NEC infants decreased sharply at the onset. Further comparison was made between 172 cases of M-NEC and 50 cases of S-NEC. It was discovered that the AMC reduced more in S-NEC infants at onset, but it increased more at recovery. In addition, the authors found that among stage 1,2 and 3, stage 3 had the lowest AMC and the largest percentage decrease at the onset.
Conclusion:
The AMC decreases sharply in NEC infants at onset, and the degree of decline is associated with the severity of NEC. AMC is expected to be a marker of NEC and provide a reference for clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of NEC.
Insights
Absolute monocyte counts (AMC) decrease sharply in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) at onset. This reduction correlates with NEC severity and may help identify infants needing surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) involves significant intestinal macrophage infiltration, originating from blood monocytes.
- Understanding monocyte dynamics is crucial for NEC diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal changes in absolute monocyte counts (AMC) in infants with NEC.
- To determine if AMC reduction correlates with NEC severity and surgical intervention needs.
Main Methods:
- Clinical data from 222 NEC infants and 66 controls were analyzed.
- AMC was compared at birth, baseline, NEC onset, and recovery.
- NEC infants were categorized into medical (M-NEC) and surgical (S-NEC) groups and by Bell's stages (1-3).
Main Results:
- A sharp decrease in AMC was observed in NEC infants at onset.
- S-NEC infants showed a greater AMC reduction at onset and a more significant increase during recovery compared to M-NEC.
- Stage 3 NEC exhibited the lowest AMC and the largest percentage decrease at onset.
Conclusions:
- Decreased AMC at NEC onset is linked to disease severity.
- AMC serves as a potential biomarker for NEC diagnosis and treatment guidance.
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