Serum calprotectin, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. The development of NEC is associated with changes in the expression of a number of acute phase proteins and cytokines, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), calprotectin (CP). To determine their diagnostic and prognostic significance there were performed studies of the dynamics of the blood levels of CRP, PCT and CP in preterm infants with NEC. A total of 68 premature infants with conservative and surgical stages of the NEC were examined. In all patients at admission, 3rd and 7th day of the treatment there was determined the serum concentration of CRP, PCT and CP. The gradual significant decline in CRP, PCT and CP. Blood concentrations was established at the 7th day of the observation ofpatients with conservative stage of NEC, which was associated with a favorable outcome of the treatment of NEC in this group of preterm infants. More pronounced changes in these markers in the blood of patients with surgical stage of the SEC due to a sharp increase in concentration and a lack of the decline in their content in the course of treatment, are associated with severe NEC and are a formidable sign of unfavorable course of the NEC, which requires timely revision and optimization of the treatment of such patients.