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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
A Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: November 30, 2021
Association Between a Decrease in Blood Monocyte Counts and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
Supriya Bisht1, Kim Roger2, Sharef Al-Mulaabed3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Newborn Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Objective:
To explore the association between absolute monocyte count (AMC) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates and to assess whether a fall in AMC can be used as a biomarker to predict an increased risk for NEC.
Study Design:
This was a retrospective study of preterm neonates with NEC or a first episode of feeding intolerance (FI). Their complete blood count (CBC) was evaluated for AMC at three time points, first at baseline, second at the onset of NEC/FI, and third afterwards. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t-test and the chi-squared test. The p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
Of the total 92 newborns, 29 (31.5%) had NEC, while 63 (68.5%) had FI. NEC and FI groups were comparable in gestational age (GA) and birth weight. There was a significant increase in AMC in the FI group (p<0.001) from baseline to the onset of FI. However, the AMC had a fall in the NEC group from baseline to the onset of NEC, which was not statistically significant (p=0.074).
Conclusion:
A decrease in AMC was associated with the presence of NEC. A fall in the AMC could be a biomarker to identify an increased risk of NEC in preterm neonates with feeding problems.
