Role of Ultrasound ,Doppler and Calprotectin in Diagnosis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonates

Necrotizing enterocolitis continues to be a disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in premature infants. It affects annually 0.72 infants per 1000 live births among all neonates and 33 infants per 1000 live births among very low-birth-weight (below 1500 gram).

Necrotising enterocolitis presents with both gastrointestinal and systemic signs. Gastrointestinal signs as delayed gastric emptying, abdominal distention and bloody stools. Non specific signs as lethargy, apnea, respiratory distress.

Although clinical and characteristic radiological findings remain the most important tools so far. Unfortunately, these signs are usually detectable in an advanced stage of disease.

• Haematological studies as severe or persistent thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, coagulopathy, or acidosis might indicate severe disease.
• Serial C-reactive protein : that persistently high C-reactive protein indicated developing complications, such as stricture or abscess.

Unfortunately, the majority of these biomarkers lack accuracy in preclinical stage and do not allow proper discrimination from sepsis Therefore, the search for disease-specific, early and noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers remains warranted.