Fecal calprotectin level in healthy children aged less than 4 years in South Korea

Abstract

Background: Fecal calprotectin (FC) is non-invasive inflammatory marker indicating various bowel diseases. However, the median-specific cut-off values and the standard deviations (SD) of the FC levels in each age group <4 years were not elucidated. Methods: Healthy volunteers were enrolled from four kindergartens. A questionnaire was used to confirm that the children met the inclusion criteria, and several demographics and history of bowel symptoms were collected. The FC level was measured. Results: A total of 234 healthy children aged between 6 months and 4 years were recruited. The median FC concentration of all participants was 245 μg/g (range 12–1033 μg/g, mean 68.5 μg/g, SD 123.12 μg/g). The children were divided into six age groups. The upper limit of 95% CI of median FC values was 135 μg/g in 7–12 months group, 65 μg/g in 13–18 months group, 55 μg/g in 19–24 months group, 40 μg/g in 25–30 months group, 21 μg/g in 31–36 months group, and 12 μg/g in 37–48 months group. A negative correlation trend was found between the age and the FC concentration. Conclusion: This is the first study to present the FC median levels in the specific age groups <4 years in Korea. We found a FC level reduction with age, indicating a bowel maturation process and decreased intestinal permeability of the intestinal mucosa. In our study, FC levels reached the values of 50 μg/g around the age of 2 years.