Estimation of some biochemical and inflammatory markers in pediatric ulcerative colitis

Abstract

     This study investigates the relationship between biochemical and inflammatory markers and the extent of ulcerative colitis (UC) in pediatric patients. A case-control study involving 200 participants, comprising 100 healthy controls and 100 with UC patients, all aged 7–16 years, was conducted. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for water- and fat-soluble vitamins (B12, C, β-carotene, D, A, and E), inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], interferon gamma [INF-γ], C-reactive protein [CRP], tumor necrosis factor [TNF-α]), hemoglobin, and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), using ELIZA-based analysis and manual methods. Participants also supplied data regarding their family history of UC, rural or urban residency, and disease duration. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation among parameters in the patient group and ROC curve.

Results showed a highly significant reduction (P <0.01) in CoQ10 [39.59 vs. 31.61 ng/ml], hemoglobin, and most vitamins, except B12. Statistically highly significant increase (P <0.01) in inflammatory markers [INF-γ, CRP, TNF-α, and ESR] in UC patients compared to the control group [100.79 vs. 53.38 ng/ml; 20.12 vs. 4.64 mg/L; 20.95 vs. 8.10 pg/ml; 36.10 vs. 8.11 mm/l hr respectively]. Significant correlations were observed between age and disease severity, as well as between disease duration and clinical remission. These findings highlight the potential of inflammatory biomarkers as novel diagnostic tools and reveal deficiencies in water- and fat-soluble vitamins, excluding B12, in pediatric UC patients.