The Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Fecal Calprotectin as an Early Marker of Neonatal Enteropathy

Abstract. Objectives. Evaluationof the effect of probiotic supplementation on fecal calprotectin levels which was tested as an early marker of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis in neonates. Patients and Methods. A prospective, double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 30 neonates who were examined for fecal calprotectin (FCP) levels. neonates are divided into two groups, the group I consisted of 15 neonates who were given probiotics (Probiotics group) and group II consisted of 15 neonates who were not given probiotics(nonprobiotic group), both groups were followed up and observed until reach full feeding for the occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), feeding intolerance and sepsis. Results. FCP levels were higher in neonates of group II (non-probiotics group) than neonates of group I (Probiotics group) after 2 weeks of probiotic supplementation in neonates of group I (190.5+ 86.9 versus 38.4 + 32.2) and significant Correlation between the level of FCP and Enteropathy in group I showing + ve correlation and p-value<0.05 with p-value is (0.029,0.024,0.019) at the onset of research and after 1 wk and after 2 wks respectively and Cutoff point of the FCP on which enteropathy occurred was 482 μg/g. Conclusions. The use of probiotics in neonates could decrease the incidence of NEC and sepsis and FCP could be used as an early predictor of NEC in neonates for early prevention and treatment with better prognosis and outcome [Mohamed S El Frargy, Azza M. Hassan. The Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Fecal Calprotectin as an Early Marker of Neonatal Enteropathy

Serum cystatin-C and BETA 2-microglobulin as accurate markers in the early diagnosis of kidney injury in neonates: A single center study

Early detection of kidney injury in neonates is very important for appropriate management and prevention of serious complications; however, commonly used detectors as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) do not directly reflect early renal cell injury. Serum cystatin-C (Cys-C) and beta 2-microglobulin (Β2M), serum creatinine and BUN were assessed in 20 neonates who developed renal impairment after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and 10 healthy neonates. The means of serum Cys-C, Β2M and creatinine on Day 1 of admission in the cases and control groups were 2.15 ± 0.52 vs 0.45 ± 0.19, 7.18 ± 2.36 vs 1.92 ± 0.41 and 0.81 ± 0.07 vs 0.53 ± 0.20, respectively, with P-value <0.05 in only Cys-C and Β2M. We conclude that serum Cys-C and Β2M are suggested as simple and accurate markers for the early diagnosis of kidney injury in neonates than serum creatinine