Fecal Calprotectin Concentrations in Healthy Children Aged 1-18 Months

Abstract

ObjectiveFecal calprotectin (FC) is an established biomarker of gut inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate FC concentrations in healthy children between 1 and 18 months of age.MethodsHealthy children aged 1-18 months were enrolled in this study at the Department of Children's Health Care in Shanghai, China. Children’s stool samples were collected and analyzed, and FC concentration was determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children's weights and lengths were measured. Parents were asked to complete a brief questionnaire regarding several clinical and sociodemographic factors.ResultsThe FC concentrations were unevenly distributed; the median FC concentration was 174.3 μg/g (range: 6.0-1097.7 μg/g) or 2.241 log10 μg/g (range: 0.775-3.041 log10 μg/g) for all 288 children. The children were divided into several age groups: 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months and 12-18 months. The median FC concentrations for these age groups were 375.2 μg/g (2.574 log10 μg/g), 217.9 μg/g (2.338 log10 μg/g), 127.7 μg/g (2.106 log10 μg/g), 96.1 μg/g (1.983 log10 μg/g) and 104.2 μg/g (2.016 log10 μg/g), respectively. A significant correlation between age and FC concentration was found (r=-0.490, p<0.001). A simple correlation analysis of weight-for-length Z-scores or weight-for-age Z-scores vs. FC concentrations showed that these variables were negatively correlated (Spearman’s rho=-0.287, p<0.001; Spearman’s rho=-0.243, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsThe FC levels of children aged 1-18 months exhibit a downward trend with increasing age and are greater than the normal levels observed in healthy adults. In healthy children aged <6 months, FC levels are high. In children aged 6-18 months, FC concentrations are relatively low but are still higher than those of children aged >4 years.

Fecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel diseases: update and perspectives

“…In a Chinese cohort of very young infants from 1 to 18 months, using Bülhmann ELISA, the authors found median values of 375 µg/g (1-3 months), 218 µg/g (3-6 months), and 100 µg/g (6-18 months) [41]. Among children < 1 year old, this study evidenced a higher fecal calprotectin level in breastfed infants.…”

Ecological immunity of human milk: Life history perspectives from the United States and Kenya

“…For example, Miller and McConnell () found higher levels of IgA in saliva among infants who were stunted, likely indicating a trade‐off between immune function and growth. This result has been demonstrated with other markers of immune function including a negative relationship between fecal calprotectin (a marker of gut inflammation) and infant growth indicators infants aged 1–18 months (Li et al, ); an association between growth faltering in Gambian infants and high levels of fecal neopterin, another marker of gastrointestinal inflammation (Campbell, McPhail, Lunn, Elia, & Jeffries, ); and a positive relationship between intestinal permeability (an indicator of infectious and inflammatory damage) and greater growth faltering in rural populations with endemic infections (Goto, Mascie‐Taylor, & Lunn, ; Lunn, Northropclewes, & Downes, ). Because these markers of infant immune function are located in the gastrointestinal tract, it is likely that breastfeeding—and its immunological activities—have a positive significant effect on infant growth via moderation of the trade‐off with immune function.…”

Implications of hepatic dysfunction in Kawasaki disease: Time‐related changes in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and C‐reactive protein levels

“…The most convenient currently available test that is relatively noninvasive and can be used repeatedly is fecal examination to detect inflammatory substances such as calprotectin and lactoferrin …”