Exploring the Diagnostic Spectrum of Children with Raised Faecal Calprotectin Levels

Abstract

Faecal calprotectin (FC) is a marker of gut inflammation. The cause and relevance of raised FC in children outside the context of established inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have had minimal attention. This study aimed to address this by carrying out a retrospective study on children with abnormal FC tests aged 4–17 years without established IBD in the South Island, New Zealand. Abnormal FC results were stratified: 51–249 μg/g, 250–499 μg/g, and 500+ μg/g, and participants were categorised into diagnostic groups. Data were collected on symptoms and diagnostic tests. Three-hundred and ten children had abnormal index FC results, with a mean age of 12.9 years, and a 55% proportion of females. The median FC was 125 μg/g; 71% had levels 51–249 μg/g and 21% had levels 500+ μg/g. Of those with FC 500+ μg/g, 89% either had infectious diarrhoea or were diagnosed with IBD at the time of, or subsequent to, the index FC. Alarm symptoms did not delineate between groups with FC 500+ μg/g. Abnormalities in platelet levels, abdominal ultrasound, and colonoscopy were more frequent for children diagnosed with IBD. Repeat FC test levels were significantly reduced except for those subsequently diagnosed with IBD. Abnormal FC levels for the majority were below the level indicative of mucosal inflammation. Repeat FC testing could play an important role in distinguishing between diagnoses.