J Cekovic, S Knezevic, R Medovic, B Vuletic, Z Igrutinovic, M Stanojevic, N Prodanovic, T Prodanovic, AM Simovic

Abstract

Introduction: The fundamental goal of this study was to examine prenatal and perinatal factors that may affect the excretion of faecal calprotectin (FC) in healthy-term newborns and premature infants. Methods: The total number of surveyed newborns was 136 (91 preterm and 45 born in term). FC levels were analysed from the meconium with conventional denzyme-linked immunosorbent assays method on the automated Alegria^® system. Results: Significantly higher FC levels were observed among the infants born prior to ≤31 gestational weeks, who had a 5-minute Apgar score ≤6 at birth, with leukocyte count >30x10⁹/L, the enteral feeding <30 ml/kg/24h, with a maximum total bilirubin in serum >250 µmol/L and certain transient metabolic disturbances. Conclusion: While interpretation the FC measurements, one should take into account the gestational age, the presence of asphyxia syndrome or inflammation, as well as other accompanying disorders such as enteral feeding intolerance, significant bilirubinaemia, and transient metabolic disturbances.