Dynamic change of fecal calprotectin in very low birth weight infants during the first month of life.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is a cytosolic component of neutrophils. Fecal calprotectin (FC) level is a useful marker for exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease in children. FC may be a useful marker for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). OBJECTIVE: To determine normal baseline levels of FC and observe dynamic changes of FC levels over the first postnatal month in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: FC levels of 14 VLBW infants (gestational age 23-30 weeks, birth weight 350 microg/g stool was noted with signs of gastrointestinal injury, such as bloody stool and bowel perforation. FC levels decreased after initiation of treatments in sick infants who recovered. CONCLUSIONS: FC levels may be a marker for early diagnosis and resolution of gastrointestinal illnesses in VLBW infants. Its utility for early diagnosis and assessment of resolution of NEC should be studied in a larger cohort of VLBW infants.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Yang, Q; Smith, PB; Goldberg, RN; Cotten, CM
Published Date
- 2008
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 94 / 4
Start / End Page
- 267 - 271
PubMed ID
- 18784422
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC2790758
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1661-7819
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1159/000151645
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Switzerland