Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a sensitive and specific biomarker for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in pre-term infants

jpedsurg.org

Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) levels have been shown to be elevated in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesized that plasma I-FABP is a specific biomarker for NEC that can differentiate NEC from other common diseases with similar presentations in neonates.

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Article · Oct 2025 · 1 min read

In brief

This study evaluates intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a diagnostic biomarker to distinguish necrotizing enterocolitis from other conditions with similar clinical presentations in preterm neonates. The research aims to establish I-FABP's sensitivity and specificity for NEC diagnosis, potentially enabling earlier detection and intervention in this life-threatening intestinal disease.

I-FABP plasma levels are elevated in neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis compared to healthy controls.
I-FABP may serve as a specific biomarker to differentiate NEC from other conditions with similar clinical presentations.
Early biomarker detection could enable timely intervention before advanced intestinal necrosis develops.
I-FABP specificity for intestinal injury makes it superior to non-specific inflammatory markers in NEC diagnosis.

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