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Updated: Jun 18, 2025
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Blood absolute monocyte count trends in preterm infants with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis: an adjunct tool for
Meghan Moroze1, Tricia Morphew2, Lois W Sayrs2
1Division of Neonatology, CHOC Children's, Orange, CA, USA.
Objective:
We investigated the trends of blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) over 72 h after suspecting necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Study Design:
A single center, retrospective study, the AMC was plotted over 72 h after NEC evaluation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed change in AMC to identify absence of NEC and different NEC stages.
Results:
In 130 infants, the AMC decreased in patients with NEC stage 2 or 3. Stages 2 and 3 NEC experienced a drop in AMC compared to an increase in no NEC, possible NEC, or positive culture (p < 0.05). AMC increase 24% or less can differentiate NEC stage 2/3 from possible NEC with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78. While decrease of more than 32% can differentiate stage 2/3 vs. possible or no NEC with AUC of 0.71.
Discussion/Conclusions:
A decrease in AMC can be an adjunct biomarker to confirm the diagnosis of NEC.
Insights
A decrease in blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) can help diagnose necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in infants. This biomarker trend over 72 hours aids in identifying NEC stages 2 and 3.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal emergency in neonates.
- Early diagnosis of NEC is crucial for effective management and improved outcomes.
- Biomarkers that can accurately detect NEC are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trend of blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) in infants with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- To evaluate the utility of AMC changes in differentiating NEC stages.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center study analyzing AMC trends over 72 hours post-NEC evaluation.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess AMC changes for NEC diagnosis and staging.
Main Results:
- A decrease in AMC was observed in infants with NEC stages 2 or 3.
- Stages 2 and 3 NEC showed a significant drop in AMC compared to infants without NEC or with possible NEC (p < 0.05).
- An AMC increase ≤24% differentiated NEC stage 2/3 from possible NEC (AUC 0.78); a decrease >32% differentiated stage 2/3 from possible or no NEC (AUC 0.71).
Conclusions:
- A decreasing trend in AMC can serve as an adjunctive biomarker for confirming NEC diagnosis.
- AMC monitoring may aid in the early identification and staging of NEC.
