Evaluation of faecal calprotectin as an early surrogate marker for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants

Background/Objectives: Early prediction of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has important implications for therapeutic strategies. Calprotectin is an abundant and extremely stable neutrophil protein in feces and reflects bowel inflammation in adults with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, it may also serve as an surrogate marker for development of the NEC. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess (1) the normal range of calprotectin concentrations during the first six weeks after birth, and (2) the validity of fecal calprotectin as a noninvasive marker for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants.…