Diagnostic value of fatty acid-binding protein in newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective. To determine the diagnostic value of fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Patients and methods. A prospective study was conducted that included 38 premature infants. The children were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 18 children with NEC, 20 premature infants were included in control group II. Patients underwent clinical and laboratory examination, radiography of the abdominal cavity and measurement of the level of I-FABP in serum. Results. Serum I-FABP levels were significantly higher in children from the main group at all stages of the study: at birth, at the beginning of enteral feeding and at the time of diagnosis of NEC (p < 0,001). There is a correlation between the I-FABP level and the NEC stage. Conclusion. Sequential measurements of serum I-FABP levels can be a useful marker for early diagnosis and prediction of disease severity in NEC. Key words: necrotizing enterocolitis, early diagnosis, biomarker, premature, newborns