Biochemical predictors of enterocolitis in children with colorectal anomalies post colostomy at University College Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

Background: A large proportion of patients with preoperative enterocolitis still have enterocolitis persisting even after surgery while others resolve thereafter. Some researchers have studied Calprotectin, C–reactive protein (CRP), Blood and Plasma viscosity as markers of inflammation, hence, the choice of their use.

The aim of the study is to determine the sensitivity and reliability of Calprotectin, C–reactive protein (CRP), Blood and Plasma viscosity as biochemical predictors of enterocolitis in children with colorectal anomaly post-surgery at University College Hospital Ibadan.

Patients and Methods: This is an observational analytic study of 32 patients with either Hirschsprung’s disease or Anorectal malformation carried out over a year period. The demographic data of the patients, clinical condition and the preoperative and postoperative readings of the biochemical analytes were recorded in a chart. Statistical analysis were carried out using SPSS version 23 and test for statistical association done.

Results: The incidence of Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis is 12.5% and for Ano rectal malformation 6.3 %. Gender difference was not statistically significant even with the observed clinical difference. Plasma viscosity and blood viscosity correlate positively with each order. C-reactive Protein and Calprotectin did not predict enterocolitis in this study and the Sensitivity of blood viscosity at T1 and T2 is as low as 66% with a Positive Predictive Value of 25 %.

Conclusion: The incidence of Enterocolitis associated with Hirschsprung’s disease and Anorectal malformation is 19 %. Calprotectin and C-reactive protein did not predict enterocolitis in this patients. The outcome of care was satisfactory in over 90 % of the patients.