Elsevier

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis

Volume 16, Issue 5, September 2017, Pages 631-636
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis

Original Article
Age-dependent variation of fecal calprotectin in cystic fibrosis and healthy children

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2017.03.010Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Fecal calprotectin may be used as a non-invasive method to assess the effect of novel therapies on the gut in cystic fibrosis (CF).

Method

Stools from CF patients and healthy controls (HC) (0–10 years old) were prospectively collected for evaluation of temporal trends.

Results

130 CF samples (64 subjects) and 114 HC samples (101 subjects) were collected. Overall, fecal calprotectin levels were different in CF patients and HC from 0 to 10 years (P = 0.0002). Fecal calprotectin in CF was significantly lower than HC from 0 to 1 years (P = 0.03) and demonstrated an upward trajectory until 4 years. From > 4 to 10 years calprotectin was consistently higher in CF patients compared with HC (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Fecal calprotectin levels in children with CF and HC were age-dependent and had distinct trajectories. Careful interpretation of calprotectin is required if used in drug trials for CF, particularly in children less than 4 years old.

Abbreviations

CH
Christchurch Hospital
CF
cystic fibrosis
HC
healthy controls
IBD
inflammatory bowel disease
PERT
pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy
PI
pancreatic insufficient
PS
pancreatic sufficient
RWH
Royal Women's Hospital
SCFA
short-chained fatty acids
SCH
Sydney Children's Hospital

Keywords

Leukocyte L1 antigen complex
Calprotectin
S100 proteins
Cystic fibrosis
Gastrointestinal inflammation
Pediatrics

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