Fecal Calprotectin Levels in the Babies with Infantile Colic

Abstract

Objective: Excessive crying is one of the most common complaints in the first months of life. Although various theories have been proposed to explain infantile colic, the etiology is still unclear. The aim of this study is to measure fecal calprotectin levels in infants with and without infantile colic and to investigate their possible relationship with inflammation. Methods: Infants attending a General Pediatrics Clinic in Medipol Mega University Hospital constituted the study population. Fecal calprotectin levels were measured using the Elisa Method in a total of 70 infants aged 1-3 months, 35 of which had infantile colic. A total of 42 infants, 22 of whom were in the colic group and 20 of them in the control group were followed for one year. Results: The socio-demographic features and feeding types of the infants with or without infantile colic were similar. Fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in the colicky babies, and all had calprotectin levels > 250 µgr/g. The median fecal calprotectin values of the colic and control groups were 651 µgr/g and 354 µgr/g, respectively. No significant difference was found between the cases where the calprotectin levels were higher or lower than 350 µg/g in terms of birth weight, gender, mode of delivery, diet and use of probiotics. During the follow-up, symptoms of food allergy occurred in 4 patients in the control group and in 3 patients in the study group. Conclusion: High fecal calprotectin levels in the colic infants suggest that infantile colic and intestinal inflammation may be associated.