Association Between Fecal Calprotectin Concentration and Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy in Children

Calprotectin is released from neutrophils and monocytes during the inflammatory process. Recently, an increasing number of studies has postulated some possible diagnostic roles of fecal calprotectin (FC), including the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Considering that mesenteric lymphadenopathy is due to the inflammation of lymph nodes, it can be assumed that FC can be used as an early diagnostic tool for mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between FC and mesenteric lymphadenopathy in children.

Children with abdominal pain admitted to Tabriz Pediatric Hospital were included in this cross-sectional, case-control study during one year. Patients were allocated to two groups based on ultrasonography (US). The case group consisted of children with mesenteric lymphadenopathy revealed by the US while the control group included children without mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Finally, the demographic data and FC concentration, along with other routine laboratory tests were assessed in both groups.

Overall, 119 children were included of whom, 47 and 71 children were in the control and case groups, respectively. The median FC of the case and control groups was 50 and 46.7 μg/g ranging from 6.5-1800 and 5-1000 μg/g, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference between the groups (P=0.001). The optimal cutoff point of FC was 46.7 μg/g for the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenopathy with 61.1% sensitivity and 78.7% specificity.

The results of this study revealed that the level of FC in the case group was significantly higher compared to the control group. Therefore, the FC concentration could be the most useful method for the diagnosis of mesenteric lymphadenopathy.