Gut barrier proteins in diagnosing necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants: abridged secondary publication
EWY Ng1, PC Ng1, HS Lam1, MMT Lam1,2, HM Cheung1, TPY Ma1, KYY Chan1, POR Wong1, KT Leung1, K Li1, TCW Poon1,2
1 Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2 Pilot Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau
 
 
1. Our study provides the first evidence that hepatocarcinoma-intestine-pancreas (HIP) and intestinal bile acid binding protein (I-BABP) were specific, novel biomarkers for early diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
2. Use of HIP followed by I-BABP significantly improved the diagnostic performance. A stepwise risk stratification scheme for preterm infants suspected of NEC is proposed.
3. This risk stratification scheme can facilitate neonatologists in identification and management of preterm infants with NEC.