Thibault MP, Tremblay E, Horth C, et al. - NEC development could be predicted using a novel robust biomarker named lipocalin-2 in combination with calprotectin tandem. Although the “perfect biomarker” criteria are not fulfilled yet, it represents a first move toward it.

• In this multicenter prospective study, collection of stools from 132 very low birth weight infants was done daily.

• Evaluation of biomarkers in all available stool samples yielded two most reliable predicting markers, named lipocalin-2 and calprotectin, over the 10-day period prior to NEC development.

• The significance of lipocalin-2 and calprotectin was confirmed individually and in combination 1 week in advance of the NEC clinical diagnosis when analysis of the pooled data for each infant was done.