title: Brain-type natriuretic peptide at birth reflects foetal maturation and antenatal stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Antenatal stress, maturation and other foetal conditions affect the postnatal cardiovascular function. Atrial- (ANP) and brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) play important roles in regulating extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure, which may surrogate the foetal cardiovascular condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the dependence of serum ANP and BNP at birth on antenatal variables in high-risk infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma ANP and BNP levels in the umbilical cord blood were compared with antenatal clinical information in 280 infants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High levels of ANP and BNP were associated with multiple pregnancy, antenatal magnesium sulphate and foetal distress. Caesarean section (CS) was paradoxically associated with low ANP and high BNP; low ANP was related with CS before labour whereas high BNP was related with CS after the commencement of labour. High BNP levels further correlated with younger gestational age and intrauteral growth restriction. With regard to short-term postnatal variables, high BNP levels were associated with low Apgar scores and respiratory failure whereas high ANP only correlated with the latter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High natriuretic peptide levels were associated with prematurity at birth, uteral contraction and antenatal stress: cord blood ANP and BNP may be a useful surrogate marker for hidden antenatal stress.
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. lars.welzing@uk-koeln.de
authors: Taro
authors: T
authors: Kanbe
authors: Yasuki
authors: Y
authors: Maeno
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Fujino
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kanda
authors: Akiko
authors: A
authors: Hirose
authors: Junichiro
authors: J
authors: Okada
authors: Toshihiko
authors: T
authors: Morikawa
authors: Sachiko
authors: S
authors: Iwata
authors: Osuke
authors: O
authors: Iwata
authors: Toyojiro
authors: T
authors: Matsuishi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor