@article { author = {Emil Eskander, Ayman and Hosni Tomerak, Rania and Safwat, Mona and Ghobrial, Carolyne and Nabih Almohammady, Mohammad and Abdelfattah, Walaa}, title = {Fecal Calprotectin: A Screening Marker for the Early Detection of Necrotizing Enterocolitis among Children in Egypt}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Neonatology}, volume = {11}, number = {2}, pages = {1-9}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2251-7510}, eissn = {2322-2158}, doi = {10.22038/ijn.2020.41604.1684}, abstract = {Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a lethal disease affecting newborns with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Moreover, it is the most eminent gastrointestinal threat affecting premature newborns. Unfortunately, early symptoms and signs are usually vague; therefore, there is a special demand for sensitive biomarkers in this regard. This study aimed to investigate the role of fecal calprotectin in stage I NEC and identify specific cut off value at this stage to differentiate stage I NEC from other gastrointestinal disorders.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at New Children Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. In total, 100 newborns were included in this study who were assigned to the patient group with stage I NEC (n=60) and control group (n=40)with age and gender-matched newborns.Fecal calprotectin level was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both groups. Follow up of the patient group was performed for the development of stage II or III NEC.Results: The patient group obtained significantly elevated levels of fecal calprotectin, compared to the control group (P=0.000). Within the patient group, 43 (71.66%) newborns developed stage II or III NEC, whereas 17 (28.33%) cases developed no NEC. In addition, the level of fecal calprotectin was significantly higher in the group who developed stage II or III NEC (P=0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the cutoff value of 109.5 μg/g feces showed 100% sensitivity and specificity, and the area under the ROC curvewas equal to 1 in differentiating NEC from other conditions.Conclusion: The study showed that fecal calprotectin can be used as a sensitive and specific marker for the early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis.}, keywords = {cutoff,fecal calprotectin,Necrotizing Enterocolitis,Neonates,Screening}, url = {https://ijn.mums.ac.ir/article_14726.html}, eprint = {https://ijn.mums.ac.ir/article_14726_9678100f477282f2fe8667e811c4af8a.pdf} }