Abstract: Objective? To explore the fecal calprotectin (FC) level in meconium and its influencing factors in very low birth weight infants. Methods? The first meconium after birth in very low birth weight infants hospitalized from June 2018 to May 2019 was collected. Immunofluorescence method was performed to detect quantitatively the FC levels in meconium, and general data during maternal pregnancy and infancy were collected. Results? A total of 87 very low birth weight infants ( 45 boys and 42 girls) were included. The median gestational age was 30 . 3 weeks ( 29 . 1 ~ 31 . 1 ), the median birth weight was 1300 g ( 1200 ~ 1450 ), and the median FC level in meconium was 165 . 1 ( 57 . 4 ~ 408 . 2 ) μg/g. The FC level in meconium in the group of pregnant women with preeclampsia and fetal distress was significantly higher than that in the group of pregnant women without preeclampsia (P 0 . 05 ). Conclusion? The meconium FC level in very low birth weight infants is high, and widely varies among individuals. Prenatal complications of preeclampsia and intrauterine distress may influence meconium FC levels in very low birth weight infants.

Key words: ? calprotectin;? meconium;? very low birth weight infant