Julia K Panczuk1, Sharon Unger1,2, Jane Francis3, Nicole Bando3, Alex Kiss4, Deborah L O'Connor3,5. 1. 1 Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada . 2. 2 Mount Sinai Hospital , Toronto, Ontario, Canada . 3. 3 Department of Nutrition Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada . 4. 4 Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada . 5. 5 The Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fecal calprotectin (fCP) is a biomarker of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) inflammation that is currently being used investigationally among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool was collected weekly from 20 breastmilk-fed VLBW infants for up to 8 weeks after birth during the establishment and fortification of feeds, and fCP concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Mean fCP levels increased significantly in stools collected immediately following bovine-based nutrient fortification of feeds (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of bovine fortifier to breastmilk feeds appeared to be associated with an acute increase in GIT inflammation.
BACKGROUND: Fecal calprotectin (fCP) is a biomarker of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) inflammation that is currently being used investigationally among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool was collected weekly from 20 breastmilk-fed VLBW infants for up to 8 weeks after birth during the establishment and fortification of feeds, and fCP concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Mean fCP levels increased significantly in stools collected immediately following bovine-based nutrient fortification of feeds (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of bovine fortifier to breastmilk feeds appeared to be associated with an acute increase in GIT inflammation.