title: Reference values for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in fetal circulation between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the range of fetal NT-proBNP values in normal pregnancy between 20 and 34 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  NT-proBNP was measured in 56 fetal blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (+ or - 2 SD) NT-proBNP concentration was 1998 (242-3754) ng/L; a significant decline occurred with advancing gestational age (p=0.012).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gestational age has to be taken in to consideration in the assessment of NT-proBNP. Our data may be used as reference values in fetal and neonatal medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University of Bonn Medical School, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany. Waltraut.Merz@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Waltraut M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Merz
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kübler
authors.forename: Eike
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albers
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stoffel-Wagner
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gembruch
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain