Noninvasive Fecal Cytokine and Microbiota Profiles Predict Commencement of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Proof-of-Concept Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening disease and the most common gastrointestinal emergency in premature infants. Accurate early diagnosis is challenging. Modified Bell's staging is routinely used to guide diagnosis, but early diagnostic signs are nonspecific, potentially leading to unobserved disease progression, which is problematic given the often rapid deterioration observed. We investigated fecal cytokine levels, coupled with gut microbiota profiles, as a noninvasive method to discover specific NEC-associated signatures that can be applied as potential diagnostic markers.

Methods

Premature babies born below 32 weeks of gestation were admitted to the 2-site neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Imperial College hospitals (St. Mary's

SUBMITTER: Zenner C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10352139 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature