Gender dimorphic associations between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, body mass index and blood pressure in children and adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Obesity and hypertension are often comorbid, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms that link them are not fully understood. Natriuretic peptides might play a role in this association. The majority of studies show lower brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations as well as lower concentrations of the N-terminal of the prohormone (NT-proBNP) in obese than normal body mass index (BMI) adults and higher BNP concentrations in hypertensive than in normotensive individuals. In children, there are no studies examining the relations between NT-proBNP, BMI and blood pressure.


METHODS
Ninety-six children, 24 obese/25 normal BMI boys, and 23 obese/24 normal BMI girls, aged 10-16 years, were studied. Plasma NT-proBNP was measured using electrochemiluminescence.


RESULTS
In males, NT-proBNP concentrations were lower in the obese than the normal BMI group but higher in the obese hypertensive than the obese normotensive group (p = 0.04). In addition, a significant positive correlation was noted between plasma NT-proBNP and blood pressure (p = 0.03) only in obese males. In females, no correlations were detected between NT-proBNP, BMI and systolic or diastolic blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal studies are needed to define the role of NT-proBNP as a screening biomarker in obese children, particularly males, to determine their risk for developing arterial hypertension.
Pervanidou
Panagiota
P
First Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Obesity Clinic, Athens University Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. ppervanid @ med.uoa.gr
Akalestos
Athanassios
A
Sakka
Sophia
S
Kanaka-Gantenbein
Christina
C
Papassotiriou
Ioannis
I
Chrousos
George P
GP
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain