Faecal calprotectin levels during the first year of life in healthy children

Aim A high faecal calprotectin (FC) level is a non-invasive marker for inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, healthy infants have elevated levels of FC with large variations. The aim of our study was to determine the levels of FC and associated factors in healthy infants aged 0-12 months. Methods Infants younger than 1 year of age were in the follow-up programme of the Well Child Unit. Data on the clinical characteristics, including birth, anthropometric measurements and feeding types of infants in the unit, were obtained from their personal health records. One fresh stool sample was collected from each infant. ELISA was used to measure FC. Results We included 84 infants younger than 1 year of age. The median FC value was 313 mu g/g. The FC levels were greater in the youngest (0-30 days) group of infants than in the oldest (181-365 days) group (P < 0.001). The FC levels were higher in infants delivered by caesarean section than in those delivered vaginally (P = 0.016). The levels were also higher in infants who were solely breastfed than in those who received mixed feeding (breast milk and formula) during the first 6 months of life (P = 0.030). Conclusion The FC levels in this group of infants were high, especially in the first month of life. Several birth and environmental factors influenced the FC values. Further studies with a larger cohort of infants and serial assessment of FC over time are required to better understand the patterns of this biomarker during infancy.