Table 3.
Comparison of plasma I-FABP, FC, hBD2, and CRP levels among NEC neonates according to modified bell’s system stages and the control set
| CRP (mg/L) | FC (ug/g) | hBD2 (ng/g) | I-FABP (ng/mL) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stage II NEC (n = 18) |
0.57 (0.50–14.87) |
482.99 (113.55–1552.18) |
376.44 (352.27–391.46) |
3.36 (1.245–6.745) |
|
Stage III NEC (n = 12) |
14.24 (0.46–93.4) |
818.06 (328.40–4358.23) |
336.87 (316.33–372.67) |
9.28 (5.085–13.238) |
|
Control (n = 40) |
0.53 (0.30–31.53) |
213.34 (32.15–1036.29) |
339.86 (319.57–368.45) |
1.38 (0.083–4.961) |
| p value | 0.016a | 0.000 a | 0.000 a | 0.000 a |
| 0.204b | 0.101 b | 0.000 b | 0.017 b | |
| 1.0c | 0.014 c | 0.000 c | 0.002 c | |
| 0.012d | 0.000 d | 0.474 d | 0.000 d |
a Kruskal–Wallis test for comparison among three groups.
b Stage II NEC vs. stage 3 NEC for dual comparison by Mann–Whitney U-test.
c Stage II NEC vs. control for dual comparison by Mann–Whitney U-test.
d Stage III NEC vs. control for dual comparison by Mann–Whitney U-test.
CRP: C-reactive protein; FC: fecal calprotectin; hBD2: human β-defensin 2; I-FABP: intestinal fatty acid-binding protein; NEC: necrotizing enterocolitis.