Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Introduction: Necrotizing enterocolitis is one of lethal diseases in newborns with significant morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, early symptoms and signs are vague so, a special need for sensitive biomarker was necessary. Aim of work: The aim was to investigate the role of fecal calprotectin in stage I necrotizing enterocolitis and to identify specific cut off value at this stage. Methodology: This is a cross section study done in the neonatal intensive care unit in the New Children university Hospital (Abo El Rish Al Mounria) of Cairo University in which stool samples for assessment of fecal calprotectin level were collected from 100 newborns (60 with stage I necrotizing enterocolitis according to modified Bell's criteria as the patient group and 40 matched newborns in age and sex as the control group). Follow up of patient group for development of stage II or III necrotizing enterocolitis was done. Results: Fecal calprotectin was significantly elevated in patient group than control group (p value=0.000). Within the patient group, 43 (71.66%) newborns developed necrotizing enterocolitis while 17 (28.33%) did not develop necrotizing enterocolitis. Level of fecal calprotectin was significantly higher in the group who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (p value=0.001) and by using ROC curve, the cutoff value of 109.5 og/g feces showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity and area under ROC curve equals 1 in differentiating necrotizing enterocolitis from other conditions

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