Use of faecal immunochemical testing as an alternative to faecal calprotectin in children

Background Faecal calprotectin has been widely used as a non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation in children. Measurement of faecal haemoglobin using faecal immunochemical test is well established in adults for detection of colorectal cancer. In adults, faecal haemoglobin has been recommended as a reliable tool to aid identification of those at low risk of significant bowel disease and has also been used in inflammatory bowel disease to assess mucosal healing. Aims We aimed to evaluate the performance of faecal haemoglobin in the paediatric population and compare it with faecal calprotectin. Methods Children being assessed in the paediatric gastroenterology clinic for bowel symptoms had a sample sent for both faecal calprotectin and faecal haemoglobin. Samples were collected over a 10-month period from November 2018 to September 2019. Faecal haemoglobin was measured using an OC-Sensor. Faecal calprotectin was measured using Liason (R) Calprotectin. Results One hundred forty three samples were returned for faecal haemoglobin and in 107 a paired faecal calprotectin was also available. Faecal haemoglobin correlated with faecal calprotectin, Spearman's rank coefficient 0.656 (P < 0.0001). There were 35 patients with faecal haemoglobin >20 mu g/g and in 32 of these patients faecal calprotectin was >200 mu g/g; 74 patients with faecal haemoglobin and 38 patients with faecal calprotectin underwent colonoscopy. Patients with normal histology had faecal haemoglobin 20 mu g/g was associated with signification inflammation Conclusion Our study is the first to compare faecal haemoglobin and faecal calprotectin in a paediatric population. Results suggest that faecal haemoglobin correlates with faecal calprotectin and, as in adults, may be useful to rule out significant bowel disease. A faecal haemoglobin >20 mu g/g was consistent with significant histological inflammation.

Automated summary

This study is the first to compare faecal haemoglobin and faecal calprotectin in a pediatric population. The results suggest that faecal haemoglobin correlates with faecal calprotectin and may be useful in ruling out significant bowel disease, consistent with findings in adults. A faecal haemoglobin level of >20 μg/g was associated with significant histological inflammation.