Background. Even if recent studies demonstrat an age-dependent variation in faecal calprotectin (FC) in children there are no data about FC values during the first month of life. Objectives. To measure FC concentrations in healthy newborns during the 1st month of life. Patients and methods. A perspective study was carried out in 93 fullterm, healthy newborns (51 male, 45 born by caesarean section, mean G.A.: 39.21 weeks; mean B.W.: 3306,19 g.; 27 formula fed). Stool samples taken on day 3, 7. 12 and 30. 357 samples collected and faecal calprotectin analysed using a commercial kit (Calprest, Eurospital, Italy). Statistical analysis: data analysed by SPSS. Difference between means: unpaired t-test. Repeated measures: ANOVA test. Results. FC values (means, medians, range, S.D., IC) are shown in Table 1. From day 3 to day 7 of life FC levels increased in a statistically significant way (P < 0.0001), and with a moderate increase up to the day 30. Conclusion. FC concentrations are higher in newborns than in adult and healthy children. Evidence has recently accumulated that calprotectin possesses a cytokine-like activity. It was reported that it cooperates with neutrophils and/or lactoferrin to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, and perhaps it exerts a positive effect on the host defense in physiological conditions, as in healthy newborns.
FAECAL CALPROTECTIN VALUES IN HEALTHY FULL TERM NEWBORNS DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF LIFE
BALDASSARRE, Maria Elisabetta;FANELLI, Margherita;LAFORGIA, Nicola;
2006-01-01
Abstract
Background. Even if recent studies demonstrat an age-dependent variation in faecal calprotectin (FC) in children there are no data about FC values during the first month of life. Objectives. To measure FC concentrations in healthy newborns during the 1st month of life. Patients and methods. A perspective study was carried out in 93 fullterm, healthy newborns (51 male, 45 born by caesarean section, mean G.A.: 39.21 weeks; mean B.W.: 3306,19 g.; 27 formula fed). Stool samples taken on day 3, 7. 12 and 30. 357 samples collected and faecal calprotectin analysed using a commercial kit (Calprest, Eurospital, Italy). Statistical analysis: data analysed by SPSS. Difference between means: unpaired t-test. Repeated measures: ANOVA test. Results. FC values (means, medians, range, S.D., IC) are shown in Table 1. From day 3 to day 7 of life FC levels increased in a statistically significant way (P < 0.0001), and with a moderate increase up to the day 30. Conclusion. FC concentrations are higher in newborns than in adult and healthy children. Evidence has recently accumulated that calprotectin possesses a cytokine-like activity. It was reported that it cooperates with neutrophils and/or lactoferrin to inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, and perhaps it exerts a positive effect on the host defense in physiological conditions, as in healthy newborns.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
