Perinatal changes of circulating N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in normal and intrauterine-growth-restricted pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate changes in NT-proBNP in intrauterine-growth-restricted (IUGR) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) pregnancies.


METHODS
NT-proBNP levels were measured in 40 mothers (MS), umbilical cords (UC), and their 20 IUGR/ 20 AGA neonates on day 1 (N1) and day 4 (N4).


RESULTS
UC, N1, and N4 NT-proBNP was lower in IUGR pregnancies (p <or= 0.049). In both groups, NT-proBNP levels were similar in MS and higher in N1 (p <or= 0.001). In AGA, MS NT-proBNP correlated positively with UC.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal and neonatal NT-proBNP levels are lower in IUGR compared with AGA, probably due to blood flow redistribution in IUGR and NT-proBNP placental transport in AGA. NT-proBNP levels peak on N1.
Iacovidou
Nicoletta
N
Neonatal Division, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Briana
Despina D
DD
Boutsikou
Maria
M
Gourgiotis
Demetrios
D
Baka
Stavroula
S
Vraila
Venetia-Maria
VM
Hassiakos
Demetrios
D
Malamitsi-Puchner
Ariadne
A
D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000502:physiology
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain