Serum galectin-3 level as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis: a cohort study

Objective: Neonatal necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading factor in neonatal mortality. Diagnosing NEC is difficult since it presents with various clinical appearances with divergent symptoms. This study determines the value of galectin-3 (GAL-3) for diagnosing NEC. Methods: Seventy-two newborn patients with NEC and 64 preterm infants with jaundice (control group) were prospectively enrolled. The levels of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), serum cytosolic beta-glycosidase (CBG), and GAL-3 in the serum were measured. In addition, the diagnostic values of GAL-3 for diagnosing early and severe NEC were analysed by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: WBC, CRP, PCT, I-FABP, CBG, and GAL-3 showed an increasing trend in the control, NEC I, and NEC II+III groups. Moreover, in the diagnosis of early and severe NEC, GAL-3 had a higher sensitivity and specificity than WBC, CRP, PCT, I-FABP, and CBG. The results also suggest that the GAL-3 level is an independent prognostic measure to indicate poor prognosis in NEC. Conclusion: GAL-3 is a useful marker for diagnosing and prognosis of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis.

Automated summary

The study found that GAL-3 in serum has a higher sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing early and severe neonatal necrotising enterocolitis. The results also suggest that GAL-3 level serves as an independent prognostic measure, indicating poor prognosis in NEC.