Abstract

Background: Calprotectin is a protein complex produced by neutrophils,monocytes and also during inflammation by epithelial cells. There is some evidence that faecal calprotectin concentration is increased in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, whether measurement of this protein in faeces is useful in diagnosing IBD in children remains uncertain. Aim:The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether the faecal calprotectin concentration is significantly increased in children with IBD compared to healthy controls. Material/Methods: 20 healthy and 14 children with IBD were recruited.4 of them were diagnosed with Crohn ’s disease and other 10 suffered from ulcerative colitis. Calprotectin was measured in stool samples obtained from each patient using immunoenzy- maticassay (Phical-test Eurospital).Results: Level of the calprotectin protein in stools of healthy children was between 0 –114 ng/ml (mean 31,95 ng/ml). In the study group it ranged between 111 –444 ng/ml (mean 281.28 ng/ml). Statistical analysis showed that faecal calprotectin concentration in children with IBD is significantly higher (p

Keywords: calprotectin, ulcerative colitis, Crohn Disease, children