Rodríguez-Benítez, María VictoriaGámez-Belmonte, ReyesGil-Campos, MercedesHernández-Chirlaque, CristinaBouzas, Paula R.Sánchez de Medina, FermínMartínez-Augustin, Olga2022-09-162022-09-162021-06-18Rodríguez-Benítez MV, Gámez-Belmonte R, Gil-Campos M, Hernández-Chirlaque C, Bouzas PR, Sánchez de Medina F, et al. Premature Birth Infants Present Elevated Inflammatory Markers in the Meconium. Front Pediatr. 2021 Jan 18;8:627475http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4054Introduction: Prematurity, a well-established risk factor for various intestinal diseases in newborns, results in increased morbidity and mortality. However, the intestinal inflammatory status of preterm (PT) infants has been poorly characterized. Here we have broadly described the intestinal and systemic inflammatory status of PT children. Materials and Methods: Meconium and plasma from 39 PT and 32 full term (T) newborns were studied. Fecal calprotectin, polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMN-E), TNF, IL-17A, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1, IL-1β, IL-1α, and E-selectin and the enzymatic activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in meconium were measured. Plasma levels of AP, hepatocyte growth factor, nerve growth factor (NGF), proinflammatory cytokines, leptin, adiponectin, PAI-1, and resistin were also determined. Correlations with gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) were studied. Results: Neutrophil derived PMN-E, MPO and calprotectin were increased in the meconium of PT compared to T newborns, while AP was decreased. No significant differences were found in other inflammatory parameters. Considering data from all children, GA and BW showed inverse correlation with neutrophil markers, while AP directly correlated with BW. Plasma levels of IL-1β and NGF were enhanced in PT infants, and were also negatively correlated with BW. PT children additionally showed neutropenia and decreased adiponectin, leptin, haematocrit, and haemoglobin. These parameters (neutrophils, adiponectin, and so forth) were positively correlated with GA and BW, while IL-8, MCP-1, PAI-1, and plasma AP were negatively correlated. PT children showing postnatal morbidity exhibited increased meconium MPO and MIP-1α. Conclusion: PT neonates present a significant elevation of intestinal inflammatory parameters, characterized by the presence of neutrophil markers, associated with mild systemic inflammation.enAtribución 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Intestinal inflammationPreterm newbornsBirth weightGestational ageNeutrophilsTracto gastrointestinalInflamaciónRecien nacido prematuroPeso al nacerEdad gestacionalNeutrófilosMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::Infant::Infant, NewbornMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::ChildMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Reproductive and Urinary Physiological Phenomena::Reproductive Physiological Phenomena::Gestational AgeMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Hemeproteins::Globins::HemoglobinsMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Fluids and Secretions::Feces::MeconiumMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases::Hematologic Diseases::Leukocyte Disorders::Leukopenia::Agranulocytosis::NeutropeniaMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Enzymes and Coenzymes::Enzymes::Hydrolases::Esterases::Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases::Alkaline PhosphataseMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists::Hormones::Peptide Hormones::Adipokines::LeptinMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Digestive System Diseases::Gastrointestinal Diseases::Intestinal DiseasesMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathologic Processes::Inflammationresearch article33537270open access10.3389/fped.2020.6274752296-2360PMC7848191