The intestinal fatty acid-binding protein as a marker for intestinal damage in gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: We analyzed the capacity of urinary Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) to quantify the degree of mucosal injury in neonates with gastroschisis (GS) and to predict the speed of their clinical recovery after surgery. METHODS: In this prospective study, we collected urine during the first 48h after surgery from neonates operated between 2012 and 2015 for GS. Neonates with surgery that did not include gut mucosa served as controls for simple GS and neonates with surgery for intestinal atresia served as control for complex GS patients. The I-FABP levels were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Urinary I-FABP after the surgery is significantly higher in GS newborns than in control group; I-FABP in complex GS is higher than in simple GS. I-FABP can predict subsequent operation for ileus in patients with complex GS. Both ways of abdominal wall closure (i.e. primary closure and stepwise reconstruction) led to similar levels of I-FABP. None of the static I-FABP values was useful for the outcome prediction. The steep decrease in I-FABP after the surgery is associated with faster recovery, but it cannot predict early start of minimal enteral feeding, full enteral feeding or length of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Urinary I-FABP reflects the mucosal damage in gastroschisis but it has only a limited predictive value for patients' outcome.

Evaluation of sodium deficit in infants undergoing intestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sodium is a critical growth factor for children. Severe deficits cause growth impairment and cognitive dysfunction. Both the diagnosis and risk of sodium depletion in children undergoing intestinal surgery are poorly understood. METHODS: With IRB approval, children undergoing intestinal surgery (2009-2012) who had a urine sodium measurement were retrospectively reviewed. Sodium deficits were defined: urine sodium <30 mmol/L and <10 mmol/L were deficient and severely deficient, respectively. Demographics, weight changes, and intake (sodium, fluid, and nutritional) were tabulated. Data were analyzed using regression analysis and Mann Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients, 51.3% female, with a gestational age of 32.2 weeks and weight of 1.43 kg were identified. The most common diagnoses were NEC (38.5%), intestinal atresia (20.5%), and isolated perforation (10.3%). Sodium deficiency was documented in 36/39 (92%) and 92.9% for those in continuity. Severe deficiency occurred in 64%. Urine sodium was significantly correlated with weight gain (p=0.002). Weight gain in patients with urine sodium <30 mmol/L was significantly decreased vs. those ≥30 mmol/L (+0.58 g/d vs. +21.6 g/d, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: In this population, sodium depletion is common in children undergoing intestinal surgery, even when the colon is in continuity. Correction of the sodium deficit to achieve urine sodium >30 mmol/L is associated with improved weight gain.