Changes in NT-proBNP in young children with congenital heart malformations

The use of N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the aetiology of severe respiratory distress in the paediatric emergency department

INTRODUCTION

Acute respiratory distress is one of the most common reasons for paediatric emergency visits. Paediatric patients require rapid diagnosis and treatment. Our aim in this study was to use N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide to differentiate respiratory distress of cardiac and pulmonary origin in children. Our aim was to investigate the role of N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the detection of patients with new-onset heart failure in the absence of an underlying congenital heart anomaly.

METHODS

All children aged 0-18 years who presented to the paediatric emergency department due to severe respiratory distress were included in the study prospectively. The patients' demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, clinical findings, and N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentrations, were investigated. In patients with severe Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score, congestive heart failure score was calculated using the modified Ross Score.

RESULTS

This study included 47 children between the ages of 1 month and 14 years. The median N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentration was 5717 (IQR:16158) pg/mL in the 25 patients with severe respiratory distress due to heart failure and in the 22 patients with severe respiratory distress due to lung pathology was 437 (IQR:874) pg/mL (p < 0.001). In the 25 patients with severe respiratory distress due to heart failure, 8281 (IQR:8372) pg/mL in the 16 patients with underlying congenital heart anomalies, and 1983 (IQR:2150) pg/mL in the 9 patients without a congenital heart anomaly (p < 0.001). The 45 patients in the control group had a median N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentration of 47.2 (IQR:56.2) pg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Using scoring systems in combination with N-terminal (1-76) pro-brain natriuretic peptide cut-off values can help direct and manage treatment.

Evaluation of NT-proBNP in children with heart failure younger than 3 years old

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by neuroendocrine activation. The cardiac natriuretic hormones, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), together with their related pro-peptides (proANP and proBNP) represent a group of peptide hormones produced by the heart. A normal NT-proBNP level has a high negative predictive value for heart failure. The use of NT-proBNP testing is helpful in diagnosing acute HF in the emergency care setting, allowing an early and optimal treatment. The purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in heart failure in children younger than 3 years old and to establish whether it correlates with the NYHA/Ross functional class and left ventricle systolic function.

METHODS

We enrolled 24 consecutive children with HF due to congenital heart diseases and dilated cardiomyopathy. The serum levels of NT-proBNP were measured, all patients underwent echocardiography and left ventricle ejection fraction was calculated.

RESULTS

The highest median value of NT-proBNP was recorded in patients with cyanotic heart diseases (248.0 fmol/mL), p = 0.610. NT-proBNP had a negative correlation with the ejection fraction of the left ventricle: Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was -0.165.

CONCLUSIONS

NT-proBNP levels correlate with the severity of HF in infants and small children younger than 3 years old with heart failure due to congenital heart diseases and dilated cardiomyopathy.