Usefulness of faecal calprotectin measurement in children with various types of inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the FC measurement in children with various types of IBD and relation to the disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 91 patients (49 boys: 53.85% and 42 girls: 46.15%, mean age: 13.38 years, range 6-18 years) were included in the analysis. Patients were divided into the groups: B1-24 children with CD, B2-16 patients with UC, and a group comprising 31 children with other types of colitis; the control group (K) comprised 20 healthy children. FC was assayed by ELISA method, using Phical test (Calpro). RESULTS: The mean faecal calprotectin concentrations were higher in children with CD and UC as compared to healthy controls, patients with eosinophilic, lymphocytic, and nonspecific colitis. A positive correlation was observed between FC concentrations and the disease activity (the PCDAI scale, the Truelove-Witts Scale, and the endoscopic Rachmilewitz Index). CONCLUSION: It seems that the FC concentrations can be a useful, safe, and noninvasive test in children suspected for IBD, since FC concentration is higher in children with CD and UC than in patients with other inflammatory diseases.

Disaccharidase activity in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is multifactorial and not well explained. Environmental, genetic, and dietary factors play an important role. The aim of the study was the evaluation of lactase, saccharase, and maltase activity in patients with IBD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 65 children, aged 3-18 years. During a routine endoscopy, we took biopsies from the descending part of the duodenum. In these biopsies, we determined disaccharidase activity using Dahlquist's method. RESULTS: Decreased lactase activity in the biopsies taken from the small intestine mucosa was most frequently observed in patients with Crohn's disease (5/15-33%) and least frequently seen in children with lymphocytic colitis (in 1/10-10%). The lowest mean values of lactase activity were found in the children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (1.7-2.5 U/1 g). Decreased saccharase activity in the biopsies obtained from the small intestine mucosa was most frequently observed in patients with lymphocytic colitis (in 5/10-50%) and ulcerative colitis (9/20-45%) and least frequently seen in children with non-specific undetermined colitis (in 7/20-35%). Decreased maltase activity in the small bowel mucosa was the most frequently observed in patients with Crohn's disease (in 5/15-33%) and least frequently seen in children with ulcerative colitis (in 3/20-15%). The lowest mean values of maltase activity were found in the children with Crohn's disease (5.4 U/1 g). CONCLUSION: Therefore, it seems reasonable to perform diagnostic examinations aimed at lactose, saccharose, and maltose intolerance and to initiate a dietary regimen in children with IBD.