The relationship between reticulated platelets, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, and necrotizing enterocolitis

Richard Kampanatkosol, Tricia Thomson, Omar Habeeb, Loretto Glynn, Phillip J. Dechristopher, Sherri Yong, Walter Jeske, Akhil Maheshwari, Jonathan Muraskas*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) affects up to 10% of extremely-low-birthweight infants, with a 30% mortality rate. Currently, no biomarker reliably facilitates early diagnosis. Since thrombocytopenia and bowel ischemia are consistent findings in advanced NEC, we prospectively investigated two potential biomarkers: reticulated platelets (RP) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (iAP). Methods Infants born ≤ 32 weeks and/or ≤ 1500 g were prospectively enrolled from 2009 to 2012. Starting within 72 hours of birth, 5 weekly whole blood specimens were collected to measure RP and serum iAP. Additional specimens were obtained at NEC onset (Bell stage II or III) and 24 hours later. Dichotomous cut-points were calculated for both biomarkers. Non-parametric (Mann-Whitney) and Chi-square tests were used to test differences between groups. Differences in Kaplan-Meier curves were examined by log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model estimated hazard ratios. Results A total of 177 infants were enrolled in the study, 15 (8.5%) of which developed NEC (40% required surgery and 20% died). 14 (93%) NEC infants had "low" (≤ 2.3%) reticulated platelets, and 9 (60%) had "high" iAP (> 0 U/L) in at least one sample before onset. Infants with "low" RP were significantly more likely to develop NEC [HR = 11.0 (1.4-83); P = 0.02]. Infants with "high" iAP were at increased risk for NEC, although not significant [HR = 5.2 (0.7-42); P = 0.12]. Median iAP levels were significantly higher at week 4 preceding the average time to NEC onset by one week (35.7 ± 17.3 days; P = 0.02). Conclusion Decreased RP serves as a sensitive marker for NEC onset, thereby enabling early preventative strategies. iAP overexpression may signal NEC development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)273-276
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of pediatric surgery
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • Extremely-low-birthweight
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis
  • Premature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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