Blood Absolute Monocyte Count Trends in Preterm Infant with Suspected Necrotizing Enterocolitis, an Adjunct Tool for Diagnosis?

Abstract

Objective We investigated the trends of blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) over 72 hours after suspecting necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Study Design A single center, retrospective study, the AMC was plotted over 72 hours after NEC evaluation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed change in AMC to identify absence of NEC and different NEC stages. Results In 130 infants, the AMC decreased in patients with NEC stage 2 or 3. Stages 2 and 3 NEC experienced a drop in AMC compared to an increase in no NEC, Stage 1, or positive culture (p<0.05). AMC increase 24% or less can differentiate NEC stage 2/3 from stage 1 with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78. There wasn’t statistical difference between any NEC and no NEC (AUC, 0.57). Discussion/Conclusions A decrease in AMC can be an adjunct biomarker to identify NEC stage 2 and 3, when compared to no NEC/stage 1.